Tax Rebates for Offshore and Oil and Gas Workers

Offshore and oil and gas workers often spend significant amounts on travel, working away and specialist kit, and many are owed tax relief they have never claimed. If you work offshore or on energy projects, it is well worth checking whether HMRC owes you, because a claim can usually cover several years at once. This guide explains what you can claim.

Why offshore workers are often owed a rebate

Energy work frequently involves long journeys to terminals or heliports, periods working away from home, and protective and specialist clothing. HMRC allows tax relief on many of these costs, but it does not refund them automatically. Because the amounts can be large and you can backdate a claim by four tax years, the totals can be substantial.

What offshore and oil and gas workers can claim

Travel and subsistence

If you travel in your own vehicle to a temporary workplace such as a terminal or heliport (not your normal permanent base) and are not fully reimbursed at HMRC approved rates, you may be able to claim mileage relief. Where you work away and pay for your own meals and accommodation, subsistence may also be claimable.

Protective and specialist clothing

If you maintain your own protective or specialist clothing and your employer does not launder or replace it, you can claim the uniform and protective clothing allowance.

Union fees and other costs

Subscriptions to an approved union relevant to your work, and certain other necessary costs, may qualify for tax relief.

A note on where you are based

Offshore travel rules can be complex, because what counts as a temporary or permanent workplace affects what you can claim. This is exactly the kind of situation where having your circumstances reviewed properly pays off, rather than assuming you cannot 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 offshore tax rebate

You can claim directly from HMRC, or let TaxPro handle it. We assess your travel, subsistence and other costs, claim every eligible year, and deal with HMRC for you, on a no win, no fee basis.

Frequently asked questions

Can I claim travel to the heliport or terminal?

Possibly. If it is a temporary workplace rather than your permanent base and you are not fully reimbursed, travel may qualify. It is worth getting it checked.

Can I claim for meals and accommodation when working away?

Where you pay for your own meals and accommodation working away from base and are not reimbursed, subsistence can often be claimed.

I am paid through an agency. 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.

Offshore workers, check what you are owed

If you travel to terminals, work away or maintain your own kit, there is a strong chance HMRC owes you.

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.