As a leading teacher tax rebate service we are often asked if tax relief can be claimed back on the cost of books bought for work.
If you teach at GCE A level and above, you can make a rebate claim for the full cost of any books you have bought to use at work. HMRC calls this, “for use in the performance of the duties of employment”. They consider that below this level any books are usually supplied by the school or college.
However, if you look further into HMRC’s definition of “duties of employment”, it is possible for other teachers to submit a legitimate claim. This definition is specified as 3 things;
- Books that pupils can use.
- Books used by the teacher during lessons.
- Books used by the teacher in the preparation of lessons.
Warning note: Item number 3 is the most difficult to prove as it clashes with another of HMRC’s rules which states that, “books used for general maintenance or improvement of the teacher’s knowledge” is NOT deductible.
Tip
It’s always a good idea to keep receipts or proof of purchase of what you have bought for any future tax rebate claims.
What else can I claim for teacher or Lecturer?
While you are claiming for books, you can include other costs like professional fees for the NUT or NASUWT, and specialist clothing like the sports kit you wear when teaching PE.
You can use our teacher tax rebate guide to work out what else you can claim for and how to submit your teacher tax rebate claim to HMRC.
