What police can claim
What HMRC allows for this work. Your specialist checks which apply to you.
Washing your uniformHMRC flat rate of £140 a year for officers up to chief inspector and PCSOs, £60 for other police staff. No receipts.£112 tax back over 4 years
Union and professional feesPolice Federation subscriptions in full, except in the Metropolitan and West Yorkshire forces, where relief is given through payroll. UNISON is on the list only for its healthcare sector, so police staff cannot claim it.Usually £30 to £60 a year back
Equipment you boughtTorches and other equipment you had to buy and were not repaid for. PPE such as boots and gloves is not claimable.Actual cost
Mileage in your own carBetween clients, sites or bases, not the normal commute. 55p a mile from April 2026 (45p before) less anything your employer pays.Detached duty and training away from your station
Chloe, response officer, washes own uniform
Uniform flat rate £140, Federation £280 in full. About £84 tax back a year at the basic rate.
Figures are illustrative at the basic rate. Your real figure comes from your HMRC record, and you approve it before anything is filed.
How it works
Answer a few questions
60 seconds. Job, income, past claims, contact details. No documents yet.
Connect HMRC and prove it's you
Link your Government Gateway and pass a 5-minute identity check in the app.
Approve your estimate
Your specialist works out what you're owed. One tap to approve and it goes to HMRC.
HMRC pays, we pay you
Fee deducted, the rest lands in your bank, usually the next working day.
“Alex made it easy for me. I really do appreciate that”
Tokunbo VerifiedPolice questions
How much does it cost?
37.5% plus VAT of the refund, minimum £45 plus VAT. No refund, no fee. Nothing upfront. Full fee page.
The force launders my uniform.
Then the laundry flat rate does not apply, but Federation subs and equipment still do.
Will this affect my pay?
No. It is a claim to HMRC for tax relief and does not involve your force.