London Tax Rebate Guide

Are you paying tax in London?

You could be owed a tax rebate.

Whether you are a born and bred Londoner, backpacking your way through Europe, or have decided to settle here from abroad you could be eligible to claim.

Save money now and in the future by reclaiming tax back for the last four tax years.

6 London tax refund facts:

1. The Tax Office offers a host of tax reliefs to cover work expenses that are not necessarily job specific.
2. You can claim if you are leaving the UK and it won’t affect your right to work again in the UK if you decide to come back.
3. You don’t always need receipts. (But start collecting them from today, for future claims.)
4. Making a tax rebate claim is a private arrangement between you and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (the Tax Office). Your claim is for tax you have already paid and any rebate comes directly from HMRC.
5. You can backdate an initial claim for 4 tax years.
6. If you do not submit an official claim then you won’t get back your tax overspend in many cases.

There are many reasons why you could be owed a London tax refund and we have listed some of the most common ones below:

I’m leaving, or have already left, London

If you are you leaving soon or have already left if you have paid tax in the UK you will typically be owed a tax rebate for the year in which you leave the UK.

What work expenses can I claim for?

People from literally all over the world come to work in London. Some are on a strategic career path; some just want to earn enough to live here for a while. These are some of the most common work expenses tax reliefs that are claimed by Londoners. Consider these examples and figure out which ones apply to your particular employment situation.

Uniform Tax Refund in London

If your workplace requires you to wear a uniform then you have two possible claims; if you have to buy it yourself and for ongoing laundry costs. Yes, you can claim tax relief on washing your uniform at home, as long as your work doesn’t provide any laundry facilities. From nurses at Great Ormond Street to Pret a Manger staff, if it’s uniform it’s applicable.

Tax Rebates for Tools and Protective Clothing in London

Bricky, chippy or sparky – you all need protective clothing and tools. If you buy yours and don’t get any reimbursement from your employer, then you are entitled to reclaim the tax you paid on those items; and that includes your steelies.

Travel expenses for work journeys around London

Unfortunately this does not apply to a daily home-work commute to a permanent place of work. But if you are required to travel to different work locations, then you can claim tax relief both for using your own vehicle (car, van or motorbike) and your oyster card expenditure. This does not apply if you are reimbursed by your workplace.

For example, you are a builder traveling across town from Barnet to Kensington, to different building sites using the London underground.

London Professional Bodies and Trade Unions

Many British professional bodies and Trade Unions have an agreement with HMRC so that their members can reclaim tax relief on subscription fees; such as The Royal College of Physicians, National Education Union and UNISON.