How Much Tax Rebate Can I Claim?

How much you can claim back depends on what you have spent on work and the rate of tax you pay. There is no single figure, but you can work out a realistic estimate from the rules below. The key thing to understand is that you get tax relief at your tax rate on what you are allowed to claim, not the full amount.

How tax relief is worked out

You receive relief at your highest rate of tax. So a basic rate taxpayer gets 20 percent of the amount claimed, and a higher rate taxpayer 40 percent. You can also backdate most claims by four tax years, so the total is often several times the annual figure.

Typical amounts by claim type

Uniform

The standard uniform allowance is £60 a year, worth £12 a year at basic rate. Some jobs have higher agreed rates, for example £125 for many healthcare staff. Across five years this adds up. See uniform tax rebate and the flat rate expenses table.

Tools

Tool claims can be much larger, because you claim relief on what you actually spend, or a flat rate, and big purchases can use capital allowances. A mechanic with an expensive toolset can have a substantial claim. See tools tax rebate.

Mileage

If you drive your own vehicle for work and are paid under the approved rate, you can claim relief on the shortfall up to 55p per mile for the first 10,000 miles. High-mileage workers often have the largest claims. See work mileage and our mileage calculator.

Professional fees

Fees to an approved professional body relevant to your job qualify for relief at your tax rate. See professional fees.

Estimate yours

The quickest way to get a figure is our tax rebate calculator, or let us check it for you. Check what you are owed with TaxPro on a no win, no fee basis.

Frequently asked questions

How much tax rebate can I claim?

It depends on your costs and tax rate. You get relief at 20 or 40 percent on what you are allowed to claim, and you can usually backdate four years, so totals vary from modest to substantial.

How much is the uniform tax rebate?

The standard allowance is 60 pounds a year, worth 12 pounds at basic rate, with higher agreed rates for some jobs such as 125 pounds for many healthcare staff. You can backdate four years.

Do I get the full amount I spent back?

No. You get tax relief at your tax rate on the allowable amount, so 20 percent or 40 percent of it, not the whole sum.

How far back can I claim?

The current tax year plus the previous four, which is why claims often add up to more than a single year.