Christmas bonus for millions of workers

Millions of employees in the service industry could collect an early Christmas present from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Workers including nurses, hairdressers, construction workers and those in retail and food may be able to claim rebates.

Staff in these types of roles sometimes have to dip into their own pockets to pay for work-related expenses like car mileage, replacing or repairing small tools, or maintaining branded uniforms.

If they are paid through PAYE, they may be able to get some of that money back. And if they claim online now it could be in their accounts before 25 December.

Workers are urged to go directly to gov.uk to check if they can claim extra cash back. And, rather than use an agency, in a few clicks they could be on their way to claiming their full tax relief entitlement for genuine work-related expenses.

A simple Check if You Can Claim tool is available at:

• www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees

If eligible, customers can log in to their Personal Tax Account to claim for their tax relief online and, if their claim is approved, be paid within three weeks.

Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Mel Stride MP, said: “We know what a difference tax relief can make to hard-working customers, especially at this time of year. HMRC is keen to make sure customers get all the relief they’re entitled to by using their online service.

“Tax relief isn’t available for all employment expenses so the online Check If You Can Claim tool is very helpful – then if your claim is approved, your full tax relief will be paid directly into your bank account.”

The majority of claims are for repairing or replacing tools and branded uniforms, professional subscriptions and mileage. Healthcare workers, people in food and retail and those in the construction industry are among the top professions to claim from HMRC.

Customers may be able to claim tax relief on the cost of:

• repairing or replacing small tools needed to do their job (for example, scissors or an electric drill)
• cleaning, repairing or replacing specialist clothing (for example, a branded uniform or safety boots)
• business mileage (not commuting)
• travel and overnight expenses
• professional fees and subscriptions