Martin Lewis has told anyone who wears a uniform to work to check if they can claim hundreds of pounds back in tax relief. Speaking on ITV's The Martin Lewis Money Show on Tuesday (March 21), the consumer rights champion explained how workers can claim the money back.
Martin explained that many people wearing a uniform can claim tax relief on the cost of maintaining or washing their clothes. Most eligible people will be able to claim £12 a year based on an allowance of £60.
But this can be claimed back over the last five years.
Speaking on the show, Martin said: "You may be able to play a cash rebate if you wash or repair your work uniform yourself, even if it is just a branded T-shirt. The minimum allowance is £60 a year, so that's a £12 a year gain. It's not huge the basic rate but you can double that at the higher rate.
"Don't pay anyone to reclaim this. It is really easy for you to do this."
While most eligible people will be able to claim £12 back a year, some workers can claim more.
Firefighters can claim £16, dental nurses and healthcare assistants can claim £25, mechanics can receive £24, and pilots can receive £204.
Co-presenter Angellica Bell shared a message from a viewer who was an electrical technician. Around 40 people at his work claimed the rebate and as a company, they saved around £14,500.
Who is eligible to claim a uniform tax refund?
The Money Saving Expert website goes into more detail about who is eligible to claim. To be able to claim tax relief for washing your work clothing you must meet all of the following criteria. You must:
- Wear a uniform such as a branded T-shirt, nurse or police uniform
- Be required to wear it by your employer at work
- buy, clean, repair or replace your uniform yourself
- have paid income tax in the year you are claiming for
Those who are self-employed should not claim the relief. Instead, they should claim uniform and laundry expenses in their self-assessment tax return.
The Martin Lewis Money Show Live is on ITV1 On Tuesdays at 8pm or you can catch up on ITVX
