Tax, help me claim it back

[Shambler]

I am currently working for a company as an employee on paye. I invest in a pension and receive tax back on that. What other ways can I reclaim tax? Can I reclaim for training courses taken that I pay for? Clothing? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Eric Mc]

Employees are entitled to limited expenses in employment for tax relief purposes.

What type of clothing do you buy that is work related?

What type of training do you undertake and pay for yourself?

Are any such expenses incurred "wholly, exclusively and necessarily in the course of your employment?

[Esseesse]

Eric Mc said:

What type of training do you undertake and pay for yourself?

If I do a part time Masters can I claim tax back on the fees etc?

[paolow]

Esseesse said:

If I do a part time Masters can I claim tax back on the fees etc?

I do this also - role relevant but not formally endorsed by my employer - would be very interested if there is any scope!

[Eric Mc]

No - educating for self betterment is not a tax deductible cost for employees - even if the knowledge obtained is usable in that employment.

It fails the "wholly, exclusively and NECESSARILY" test.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

If you need protective clothing for work your employer must buy it. (It's the law you know).

(Or perhaps better expressed as cannot refuse to buy it for you)

[Eric Mc]

If employees wear work provided clothing - such as protective clothing or uniforms, and the employee has to pay for repairs and cleaning to those items of clothing, then the employee CAN make a claim for that cost.

In some professions and jobs (usually those that are heavily unionised) there may be a standard round-sum amount that can be claimed for these types of costs. I know the unions that represent nurses and airline pilots have such schemes in place for their union members.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

..and if you are a lawyer who would NEVER otherwise wear black...

[Eric Mc]

There was a tax case years ago on whether a barrister's gown and wig was claimable or not.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/bimmanual/bim37910....

[paolow]

Eric Mc said:

No - educating for self betterment is not a tax deductible cost for employees - even if the knowledge obtained is usable in that employment.

It fails the "wholly, exclusively and NECESSARILY" test.

Fair enough - and I assumed so, but thank you for the clarification.
I'll park the "wholly, exclusively and NECESSARILY" bit in my mind for the future though - I am certain it will come up!

[LC23]

Those doing a Masters should have had a chat with their employer about the employer picking up the cost (usually via a salary sacrifice arrangement so the employer is not actually out of pocket).

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/eimanual/EIM01220.h...

[New POD]

Membership of professional institutions.

[blank]

New POD said:

Membership of professional institutions.

This is a good one.

Also business mileage if you've been paid less than 45p/25p per mile.

One I need to look into is meals when working off site that I haven't bothered to claim expenses on.

[New POD]

blank said:

New POD said:

Membership of professional institutions.

This is a good one.

Also business mileage if you've been paid less than 45p/25p per mile.

One I need to look into is meals when working off site that I haven't bothered to claim expenses on.

My IET membership costs £200 a year, so worth £40 in tax refund, if it wasn't for the fact that my ltd company pays it for me.

[bogie]

you can claim £4 per week light and heat if you have a home office
car related mileage for business use in your own car
any charity donations you make, keep the receipts and claim back the tax on those
pension contributions - claim back the tax there if you are a 40%+ tax payer

thats about it for all the straightforward stuff for PAYE employees

[New POD]

Steel Toe cap shoes. and Prescription Safety Specs ?

[Eric Mc]

bogie said:

you can claim £4 per week light and heat if you have a home office
car related mileage for business use in your own car
any charity donations you make, keep the receipts and claim back the tax on those
pension contributions - claim back the tax there if you are a 40%+ tax payer

thats about it for all the straightforward stuff for PAYE employees

You can only legitimately claim for "Home" costs - as an employee - if working from home is stipulated by the terms of your employment. If you voluntarily decide to work from home you SHOULD NOT be making any claims.

The key word is "necessarily". The costs that any employee wants to claim must be UNAVOIDABLE i.e. the employee has no choice in the matter.

The rules are less stringent for those who are self-employed/running their own business.

[Shambler]

Thanks for the advice so far. It looks like I might be struggling other than to up the pension.

[bogie]

Eric Mc said:

bogie said:

you can claim £4 per week light and heat if you have a home office
car related mileage for business use in your own car
any charity donations you make, keep the receipts and claim back the tax on those
pension contributions - claim back the tax there if you are a 40%+ tax payer

thats about it for all the straightforward stuff for PAYE employees

You can only legitimately claim for "Home" costs - as an employee - if working from home is stipulated by the terms of your employment. If you voluntarily decide to work from home you SHOULD NOT be making any claims.

The key word is "necessarily". The costs that any employee wants to claim must be UNAVOIDABLE i.e. the employee has no choice in the matter.

The rules are less stringent for those who are self-employed/running their own business.

yeah...understood Eric....I do contractually work from home, and get paid expenses as soon as I leave the house too....which makes it cheaper to leave the house and go out on the road visiting customers than stay at home and feed myself