Edinburgh Tax Rebate Guide

Thousands tax payers living in Edinburgh don’t know that they are entitled to a tax rebate.

It doesn’t matter if you were born in Edinburgh or you relocated from a different UK city, you can claim tax back as an Edinburgh tax payer.

Edinburgh tax refund basics:

• There are a number of reasons why you could be owed a tax rebate from work expenses, to leaving the UK during a tax year.
• Your tax affairs are just between you and HMRC. They do not impact on your residence status or involve your employer.
• Claims can be backdated for four tax years.
• You do not always need to provide receipts with your claim. The regulations have differing evidence requirements.
• HMRC often need help to refund your tax overspend, you must make an official claim or you won’t get your money back.

Reasons for being owed a rebate

Work related expenses

HMRC has very detailed definitions for all the work related expenses that could be subject to tax relief. You need to find out which ones apply to you.

Here are some of the most common successful claims received by our clients living in Edinburgh:

• Uniform: If you have to wear a uniform to work and there are no laundry facilities provided, then you can claim the cost of washing it at home. You can also claim tax relief on any purchases for replacement uniform items. To HMRC, a uniform usually means clothing that carries a company logo or is obviously a uniform, like a nurse or police officer.
• Protective clothing and equipment: Most tradespeople use their own tools at work and may be asked to buy essential safety gear. You can claim the tax back on these, often substantial, costs.
• Trade Union fees and Professional Body memberships: A number of professional bodies and Trade Unions, such as UNISON, have negotiated a deal with HMRC. This allows their members to claim for the cost of their membership.
• Travel: If you have to travel between different work locations then you could claim for either public transport costs or for using your own van, car or motorbike. For example, if you are a medical professional who works in different places on different days. Or you work for a retail chain, are usually based in Princes Street and are asked to go to a different shop to cover staff absences. Unfortunately this does not apply to everyone’s normal daily commute between home and a permanent place of work.