I am a motorcycle mechanic, can I claim a tax rebate?

Yes, as a motorcycle mechanic or technician, you are entitled to claim a tax rebate for several applicable work expenses. This applies to employed motorcycle mechanics paid under the PAYE system, as well as the self employed.

What are motorcycle mechanics work expenses?

Work expenses are items that you have to buy with your own money in order to do your job. HMRC goes on to define a very specific list of these work expenses that are allowable for tax relief. This means that you can either claim a set flat rate allowance or reclaim tax relief on the actual cost of what you have bought.

How do I claim for all of the tools I have bought for work?

To get the highest tax rebate the capital allowances process is the best route especially if you are claiming for more costly purchases. And considering that you need everything from WD40 and Nitrile Gloves, to chain alignment tools and portable air compressors, it’s no wonder that you’re looking to include all your costs.

You must have evidence to support your claim. That means keeping all receipts and tool provider activity reports. A capital allowance claim has no time limit on it, as long as you’re still using the item in question and you have the necessary proofs of purchase. With this type of claim, you will get back about roughly 18% of your total outlay.

Our free Tools Tax Relief Calculator gives you a personalised estimate of how much this claim could be worth to you.

Just input how much you spend on tools and equipment for one tax year and it calculates approximately how much your tax rebate cheque will be.

What flat rate allowances apply to bike mechanics?

• £60 per year flat rate allowance for washing your work uniform. The only situation where you would not be able to claim this, is if you have laundry facilities at work.
• £60 per year flat rate tool allowance. This has been worked out on the assumption that you have spent £120 on tools during the tax year.

Flat rate allowances are great if you have no evidence of your purchases. You do not need receipts of any kind and are able to backdate these claims for four tax years only.

After your first claim, these kinds of allowances can be written into your tax code, so that you automatically pay less income tax.

The amount is already deducted from your tax bill and you don’t have to do any extra paperwork. Claiming the flat rate allowances does not stop you claiming back for the actual cost of your tools.

Can I only claim for tools and equipment?

No, you can claim for tools, equipment, mileage expenses if you travel to different places of work and uniform / protective clothing washing costs. There are a huge number of work expenses tax relief allowances that apply to all taxpayers, across all industries.

The key to a successful claim is to make sure that you have found all the ones that apply to you. Here are a couple of other work expenses that we have found to be common among  motorcycle mechanic and technicians.

• Interest on finance payments: You can include the interest payments from your latest MAC Tools finance agreement (and any others) in your Motorcycle mechanic tax relief claim.
• Fee for professional bodies and Trade Union membership: If you are a member of a professional organisation, like the IMI, you will be paying a membership fee. The same goes for belonging to a Trade Union. Many of these organisations have negotiated their own separate deals with HMRC so that their members can claim tax relief on the cost of their membership. The tax relief does not apply if your employer pays the fee for you, or reimburses you for this cost.