Tax Rebates for Care Workers and Carers

Care workers, support workers and carers, especially those visiting clients in the community, often spend a lot of their own money on travel and uniform, and many are owed significant tax relief they have never claimed. If you work in care, it is well worth checking whether HMRC owes you, because a claim can usually cover several years at once. This guide explains what care workers can claim.

Why care workers are often owed a rebate

Care work, particularly domiciliary or community care, involves real costs you cover yourself, above all travel between clients. HMRC allows tax relief on many of these costs, but it does not refund them automatically. Because the costs recur and you can backdate a claim by four tax years, the totals can be substantial, especially for community carers.

What care workers can claim

Work mileage

This is usually the biggest claim for community and domiciliary care workers. If you drive your own vehicle between clients (not your normal commute to a single base) and are paid less than HMRC’s approved rate of 55p per mile, you can claim mileage relief on the shortfall. Carers who visit many clients a day often build up significant business mileage.

Uniform and laundry

If you wear a recognisable uniform or tunic and wash it yourself, you can claim the uniform maintenance allowance. See our uniform tax rebate guide.

Professional fees

If you pay fees to an approved professional body or union relevant to your role, such as Unison, you may be able to claim tax relief. See professional fees.

How much could a care worker claim?

You receive tax relief at your tax rate, usually 20 percent. For community carers with high business mileage, the relief across the current year plus four previous years can be substantial, often the largest single part of the claim.

How far back can I claim?

The current tax year plus the previous four. The oldest year drops off each 5 April, so claiming sooner protects an extra year.

How to claim your care worker tax rebate

You can claim directly from HMRC, or let TaxPro handle it. We work out your mileage relief, uniform allowance and professional fees, claim every eligible year, and deal with HMRC for you. We work on a no win, no fee basis, so a percentage fee only applies once your refund is secured.

Frequently asked questions

I drive between clients all day. Can I claim?

Yes, where you use your own vehicle to travel between clients (not your normal commute) and are paid under 55p per mile, you can claim mileage relief on the shortfall.

My employer pays me some mileage. Can I still claim?

If they pay less than the approved rate, you can usually claim relief on the difference.

I am an agency carer. Can I claim?

If you are paid through PAYE and meet the conditions, the same reliefs generally apply.

How long does it take?

Once submitted, refunds usually come through in around 10 days, with the whole process often taking 8 to 10 weeks.

Care workers, check what you are owed

If you drive between clients or maintain your own uniform, there is a strong chance HMRC owes you, often a meaningful amount.

Start your claim with TaxPro and we will work out everything you are entitled to, on a no win, no fee basis.

Related: browse all our tax rebates by job to find your trade.