Can I Claim Tax Back for Washing My Uniform?

If you’ve had to go through the same routine of washing a uniform for your job, you’ve probably wondered if there is anything you can get back for doing this. The good news is that there is a tax rebate for washing a uniform that you can make use of. Depending on your job, you could be entitled to a sizeable amount, especially if you’ve never claimed before as you can backdate the claim.

This article will describe what the technical definition of a uniform is, how you qualify and how much you can receive as a tax rebate for washing your uniform. The time spent on work laundry will be less of a chore. The tax rebate on uniforms is something that anyone eligible should take advantage of. Read on to find out how.

What Counts as a Uniform?

To be able to claim a tax rebate for washing a uniform, your work attire needs to come under the definition HMRC has set. In their eyes, ‘A uniform is a set of specialised clothing that identifies someone as having a particular occupation’.

In general terms, your clothing must be recognisable to someone in the street that you have a certain job. A firefighter will be easily distinguished based on what they’re wearing, just like a baker can be recognised in the same way. In order to qualify for a tax rebate for washing your uniform, it has to be a uniform in the first place.

An item of clothing also qualifies as a uniform if it has a company name or logo on it. Anything permanent and obvious, such as a name badge that cannot be removed, also counts. So does protective clothing, like hi-vis jackets. Even though you might not be putting your hi-vis in the washing machine, you can still make use of the tax rebate for washing your uniform.

Go green with your laundry to save even more money and the environment.

How Do I Qualify for a Tax Rebate on My Uniform?

The checkboxes for a tax rebate for washing a uniform are:

• You are required to wear a uniform at work

• Uniform upkeep is your responsibility

• You have paid income tax for the financial year(s) you’re claiming

Your employer will require you to wear your uniform. If they give you the means of cleaning your clothes, you won’t be able to claim a tax rebate for washing your uniform because that responsibility has been taken away from you. You are also expected to clean and repair your uniform, as well as purchase it. Likewise, as long as you’ve paid income tax for the year you wish to claim, you’ll qualify.

Top five things to know before making a uniform tax rebate claim.

How Much Will I Get?

Flat Rate

When it comes to your claim, there are different amounts for a tax rebate for washing your uniform. This depends largely on your job and also if you’re backdating it. For most jobs, you can claim a tax rebate on a £60 flat rate for the entire financial tax year. The amount you’ll receive will depend on your tax band. If you’re a basic rate taxpayer, you’ll receive 20% of the flat rate, while a higher rate taxpayer will get 40%.

Other occupations are able to claim on a higher flat rate. This depends on whether HMRC has itemised your uniform, clothing or tools. Not only will you be able to claim a tax rebate for washing your uniform, you can get money for specific tools you might need. Examples of occupations with higher flat rates are:

• Agriculture - £100

• Cabin Crew - £720

• Carpenters - £140

• Fire Fighters - £80

• Quarry Workers - £100

• Passenger Liners - £165

To work out how much you’ll be entitled to, find your flat rate and divide it by 100 and then times it by your tax band amount. For instance, the £60 flat rate divided by 100 is 0.6. Times this by 20% and a basic rate taxpayer will receive £12. Times 0.6 by 40% and a higher rate taxpayer will receive £24. This final amount is what you’ll receive as the tax rebate for washing your uniform.

Rebate Amount

If we use the same jobs above, their yearly tax rebate for washing their uniform will come out as the following for a basic rate taxpayer (20%):

• Agriculture - £20

• Cabin Crew - £144

• Carpenters - £28

• Fire Fighters - £16

• Quarry Workers - £20

• Passenger Liners - £33

A higher rate taxpayer will simply receive double these amounts as a tax rebate on their uniform. It’s set as such because it’s a rebate on the tax that you’ve already paid for the year, hence the reason why you need to have paid income tax for the year in which you’re claiming. Although it may not seem like a huge amount based on the flat rate, the amount you receive as a tax rebate for washing your uniform is a nice little bonus.

Backdating Your Claim

If you’ve never claimed a tax rebate for washing your uniform before, you will be pleased to know that you can receive more if you backdate it. The first hurdle is to make sure that you have paid income tax for the years you’re backdating. The biggest hurdle, however, is that you can only backdate for a maximum of 4 years. You won’t be able to claim a tax rebate for washing your uniform for any years prior to this.

While you can only backdate the washing uniform tax rebate for 4 years, you can also claim for the current year at the same time, equating to the full 100% of the flat rate for basic rate taxpayers. If every year is 20%, spread over 5 years is 100%. Higher rate taxpayers will therefore receive 200% of their flat rate. The tax rebate for washing your uniform is therefore a good incentive to get behind if you have never claimed before.

If you’ve only just come across receiving money for washing your work attire, it makes sense to receive the rebate. Once claimed, you’ll automatically receive it for future years as your tax code will have changed. The tax rebate for washing your uniform can be claimed if you’re eligible. One of the best ways to check is to get specialists to sort the process for you. Check your eligibility by clicking the button below to start your claim.