You may be entitled to tax relief on work-related expenses if you work for the NHS. There’s good news! This applies not only to the current tax year, but also to the previous four years, lowering your future tax bill for as long as you are employed.

It doesn’t matter what your job title is, we’ve helped Nurses, porters, care workers – the list is endless. Find out today what you can claim for and do not miss out on the money you’re owed.

NHS uniform tax rebate

Working for the NHS usually entails covering the cost of your own uniform washing.

You can claim a uniform tax rebate if you have NHS-branded clothing and your employer does not provide laundering services. Depending on your job title, laundry costs are usually given at a flat rate of £100 per year.

Membership of professional bodies and unions

If you have paid for membership to a professional body such as the Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC) and your employer has not reimbursed this cost, you can claim for tax relief on your professional fees. Some NHS employees can claim for union fees for example UNISON. Tax relief cannot be claimed for all professional bodies and unions.

NHS mileage tax relief

Apart from commuting, all journeys made for work purposes are considered business miles. This could include trips from your main office to a clinic or a client’s residence.

An additional claim for tax relief may be possible depending on the amount paid to you as a mileage allowance by the NHS. You have the right to claim. For each business mile up to 10,000 miles, the rate is 45p per mile. You can apply for tax relief if your employer pays you less than 45 pence per mile or if your mileage is fully taxed. It is useful to have a journey log when making a claim, but even if you do not have these details, you may still be granted a tax rebate.

Work equipment and tools

If you have had to purchase specialized equipment for your job and have not been reimbursed by the NHS, you may be able to deduct these costs from your tax bill. If books, laptops, stethoscopes, and a variety of other work-related tools are used solely for work purposes, tax breaks may be available. For a claim to be valid, you’ll need proof of purchase.

• Professional fees and Unison subscriptions – membership costs for professional bodies like the NMC and RCN and others. You can also claim for your UNISON fees.
• Uniform cleaning − if you pay to clean your work uniforms, and your employer doesn’t provide cleaning vouchers or laundry facilities. You are eligible for tax relief on an allowance worth £100 a tax year.
• Shoes and tights − if you buy tights and shoes for work you can claim back up to £18 each tax year.
• Using your car – This doesn’t include normal commuting to just one place. An example would be a midwife travelling to clients in the community. Some kind of travel log or diary is usually required to support this type of claim. But we know what to do, even if you don’t have any paperwork.
• Work assets and equipment − if you buy equipment such as a laptop or desk that you use for work, you may be eligible for tax relief. You’ll need proof of purchase, and the asset must have a lifespan of more than two years.

To claim your Nurses tax rebate you can contact HMRC aka the tax office. HMRC let you start the process online and let you call them if you encounter any problems. When HMRC receives your claim they will review it and give you a response in writing usually within about 8-12 weeks.