How much tax rebate will I get for a toolbox?

Buying toolbox for work means a considerable financial outlay. A concrete investment in your future career, but a lot of money to pay out in one go.

So much so that, for the seasoned mechanic, it’s the sort of purchase that gets put off and make do fixes are applied to the old one.

But you can get a substantial tax rebate on your toolbox purchase working out at around 20% of the purchase price. You can use our free tool tax rebate calculator to estimate the value of your rebate.

HMRC does acknowledge that you will need to store the necessary tools that you buy for use at work in a suitable way.

As ever, the amount you earn and the subsequent amount of tax you pay all factor in to how much your toolbox tax rebate could be worth.

Toolbox finance tax relief

Most mechanics and auto technicians use finance agreements to purchase essential big ticket items. Finance payment tax relief allows you to claim tax relief on the interest payments within your finance agreements taken out within the last four tax years.

What tax rebates can I claim as a mechanic?

Mechanics are all individuals and every claim is dependent on that particular taxpayer’s financial position. But there are definitely some common tax reliefs and allowances that apply to the majority of auto technicians and mechanics tax rebate claims.

• Tools: either the Flat Rate Allowances for tools costing up to £120, or a Capital Allowances claim using their actual purchase price. Tools can be bought from big companies like MAC Tools and Snap On, online (including Amazon and eBay) or second hand. To get the more lucrative tax rebate, you need the proof of purchase evidence. HMRC’s ideal is a receipt or activity report.
• Uniform: Washing your work uniform and replacing items. As long as your employer does not provide laundry facilities. This is worth a set amount of £60 per year for mechanics.
• Protective clothing: Replacing items that your employer doesn’t reimburse you for, such as overalls and safety boots.
• Institute of the Motor Industry membership fees: The IMI is part of HMRC’s list of ‘Approved professional organisations and learned societies’. These organisations have all negotiated with HMRC to enable their members to have the benefit of tax relief on their membership fee.
• Trade Union subscription: Many Trade Unions are also part of HMRC’s Approved list. You need to check if your TU has come to an agreement with HMRC about tax relief on their subscription fee.