Tools for Work Use
Tools Tax Rebate Information For The Employed
If you are employed by a company and need to use tools in your job, and you have paid for these yourself, you may be able to claim tax back on tools. This applies to many kinds of tradespeople and engineers.
On this page you will find information about:
When am I eligible for tax relief on tools, equipment and specialist clothing?
You can usually claim tax back on tools or other equipment that you use during your work, if you have paid for these yourself.
This also applies to specialist clothing required for you to complete your job. You can only claim tax back on tools, equipment or clothing that have been purchased specially to use in your work, and you cannot claim if your employer has reimbursed you for the costs.
What are Flat Rate Expenses?
If you are eligible for tax relief for tools and specialist equipment or clothing, you can usually claim a flat rate deduction.
In most circumstances you do not need to provide receipts. You may be able to backdate your claim for up to four years.
The flat rate expenses are included in your tax code, so that you will need to pay less tax in future years. The amount of flat rate expenses that can be claimed is determined by HMRC. If your spending on tools and equipment exceeds the annual flat rate, you may be better off claiming tax relief through a capital allowances claim instead.
What are Capital Allowances?
You may be able to claim a tool tax rebate for tools and specialist equipment through a capital allowances claim.
In this case, full receipts or proof of purchase will be required. You may be able to claim for purchases made at any time in the past, if receipts or proof of purchase are available. A tool tax rebate capital allowances claim can only be made for tools, equipment or specialist clothing purchased solely for your work. You can only make a tool tax rebate capital allowances claim for certain items, according to HMRC regulations, and items must pass testing requirements where necessary.
What about tax relief for specialist clothing?
Depending on your job, you may also be able to claim tax relief for the replacement, repair and cleaning of specialist clothing such as gloves or boots.
This only applies if you have paid for the original item, and have not been reimbursed by your employer.
For further Tax Refund information, please follow the links below:
Tax Refunds by Employment
Healthcare Worker Tax Rebates includes:
Can I Claim Tax Relief for Professional Fees?
Can I Claim Tax Relief for the Cost of Shoes and Tights?
What about Tax Relief for Laundry Costs?
Can I claim Tax Relief for Business Mileage?
Can I claim Tax Relief for Specialist Equipment?Nurse Tax Refunds includes:
Nurse Tax relief for the cost of laundering of Uniform
Nurse Tax relief for the cost of shoes and tights
Nurse Tax relief for professional fees – RCN Tax, Unison Tax, NMC Tax
Nurse Tax Relief for use of own car or public transport for work purposesTeacher Tax Refunds includes:
Teacher Tax Relief for professional fees – NUT tax relief, NASUWT tax relief.
Teacher Tax Relief Books and Journals
Teacher Tax Relief for specialist clothing
Teacher Tax Relief for Equipment Purchased for Work Use
Teacher Tax Relief for qualifying travelling expenses- Tax Relief for Washing of Uniform includes:
Am I Eligible for Uniform Tax Relief for Washing Uniform?
What am I actually claiming back?
How much will I get from a Uniform Tax Relief claim?
Can I claim for any other Tax Relief? Mechanic Tax Claim Refunds includes:
Tool Tax relief– What are Flat Rate Expenses?
Tool Tax relief– What are Capital Allowances?
What About Tax Relief for Specialist Clothing?Tax Claim Refunds for Trades / Construction Industry Workers under PAYE includes:
Can I claim Tax Relief for Business Mileage?
Can I Claim Tax Relief for other using Public Transport?
What about Accommodation and Subsistence?
Tool Tax Refund: What are Flat Rate Expenses
Tool Tax Refund – What are Capital Allowances?
Can I Claim Tax Relief for Specialist Clothing?Doctor Tax Refunds includes:
Doctors Tax relief for professional fees
Doctors tax relief for Professional Indemnity Insurance
Doctor Tax Relief for business use of car
Tools and equipment purchased for work usePolice Tax Refunds includes:
Police Officers Tax Relief for the Cost Of Laundering Uniform
Police Tax Relief for the cost of Police Federation Fees
Police Tax Relief for Business use of own car or public transport for work purposesStudent Tax Refund includes:
If I am a student can I claim a Student Tax Refund?
What About if I work during the Summer?
Tax Refunds for Expenses
Business Mileage Tax Refunds includes:
What is Business Mileage?
What counts as a Temporary Workplace?
What are the Business Mileage Rate Allowances?
Travel Expenses – Can I claim any further Tax Relief?Travel Expenses Tax Refunds includes:
When can I claim tax relief (business mileage) for travel to a temporary workplace?
When can I claim tax relief (business mileage) for travelling to work in different locations?
If I use public transport can I claim tax relief for a travel card?
When can I claim tax relief for Subsistence and accommodation?
Do I need to use the cheapest transport or accommodation to claim tax relief?
Travel Expenses – How much can I claim?Subsistence Expenses Tax Refunds includes:
What Is Subsistence?
What Is A Temporary Workplace?
Do I Need Records?
My Employer Reimburses Me Can I Still Claim?
Tax Refunds for Tax Code
Income Tax Code Refund includes:
How do I know if my tax code is wrong?
How do I reclaim a Tax Code Tax Refund?
Tax Refunds for Left The UK
Left or Leaving the UK Tax Claim Refunds includes:
When am I entitled to leaving the UK tax back?
How much UK tax back can I receive?
Do I need to complete Tax Claim Forms when leaving the UK?
Do I need to complete a Self Assessment Tax Return?UK Non Resident Tax Refunds includes:
What is Non-Resident Status?
What is a Double Taxation Agreement?
What sort of UK Income is eligible for tax relief?
How do I apply for UK Non-Resident Tax Relief?
Do I need to Complete a Self Assessment Form?UK Non Resident Landlords Tax Refunds includes:
What is the UK Non Resident Landlord Scheme?
What if the property is administered by Letting Agents?
Can I claim Tax Relief for Property Expenses?
How does the Non Resident Landlord Scheme affect my Tax payments?
Do I need to complete a Self Assessment Tax Return?
How does other income affect my tax allowance?Seafarers Tax Refund includes:
What is Seafarers’ Earnings Deduction?
Who can claim SED?
What information do I need?
How do I claim?
CIS Tax Refunds
CIS Tax Refunds includes:
What is a CIS Tax Refund?
How do I get a CIS Tax Refund?
What is the average CIS Tax Refund?
Should I fill in my Tax Return myself or use an Accountant?
CIS Tax Refunds – important to know
Other Tax Refunds
Car Tax Refund includes:
Can I get a refund on my Car Tax/Vehicle Tax?Council Tax Rebate includes:
Can I claim a Council Tax rebate?Gift Aid includes:
What is Gift Aid?
What kind of Donations Apply to Gift Aid?
Gift Aid Claim Tax Refund!
How Do I make a Gift Aid Claim?NI Refund includes:
For the Employed
Missing National Insurance Years
National Insurance Refund if you have left the UK
Class 1 National Insurance and the State Pension Scheme
National Insurance Refund for the Self EmployedVAT Refund includes:
VAT Refund for Individuals
VAT Refund if you live in the EU
VAT Refund if you live outside the EU
VAT Refund if you work or study in the UK but live outside the EU
VAT Refund for Business
