The Higher Education Sector includes many different professionals and most are missing out on their legitimate tax rebates. Higher Education institutions employ a host of part-time, full-time and casual workers – all are eligible to reclaim some work expenses tax reliefs.
From administrators to lecturers, librarians to researchers; taxpayers working in colleges, universities, prisons, training centers and adult education establishments – check out which allowances apply to you.
Professional Bodies and Trade Unions
You probably belong to at least one professional organisation and many have negotiated a deal with HMRC so that their members can claim tax relief on their subscription fee. The University and College Union, Association of University Administrators, Society for Education and Training and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers all have such an arrangement. HMRC publishes a list of their ‘approved bodies’ online, so it’s easy to check and there is no limit to how many you can claim for. This also applies to some journals that are specifically relevant to your job.
Working from home tax rebate
HMRC’s definition of ‘working from home’ is that you are contractually obliged to work at home – it’s not just your preference. Without any receipts, you can claim £4 per week if you have to work at home.
Business Mileage
If you use your own car to travel for work, then you could be due a mileage rebate. Sadly, this does not include the route between your home and permanent workplace. But if you work at different ‘temporary’ locations, then it’s worth making an enquiry. For example, if you lead adult education classes and your week is split between teaching at a college and at a local library.
Academic Books
You usually need receipt evidence for this one! The restrictions on this tax allowance mean that the books must be purchased for degree level work, be accessible to students and be used by you (as lecturer) to prepare your lectures. Unfortunately, the intention behind their purchase cannot be to maintain the lecturer’s own knowledge or, sadly, for simple enjoyment.
This is certainly not an exhaustive list of the tax reliefs that are available to taxpayers working in the Higher Education sector.
How to make your higher education tax rebate claim
To start your claim for expenses incurred because of your job you should complete a P87 form and submit it to HMRC.
Your first claim can include the four previous tax years and you will continue to save money through a change in your tax code. It is impossible for HMRC to repay your tax overspend automatically. You have to equip them with your claim, so they can get your money back to you.
