Tax relief & allowances
HMRC reliefs and allowances go unclaimed every year. These guides explain who qualifies, how much it is worth, and how to claim — using only official figures.
Check what you're owed →- How do I claim Marriage Allowance?Marriage Allowance lets a lower earner pass part of their Personal Allowance to their spouse or civil partner. Who qualifies and how to claim free with HMRC.
- Can I backdate a Marriage Allowance claim?You can usually backdate Marriage Allowance to earlier tax years if you qualified at the time. How backdating works and how to claim what you are owed.
- Can I claim tax relief for working from home?Employees required to work from home may claim tax relief on extra household costs. Who qualifies, the flat-rate option and how to apply to HMRC for free.
- How do I claim a uniform tax rebate?If you wash and maintain a work uniform yourself, you may claim a uniform tax rebate from HMRC. Who qualifies and how to apply directly for free.
- Can I get tax relief on tools and equipment for work?If you buy tools or equipment for your job and your employer does not reimburse you, you may claim tax relief. Who qualifies and how to claim from HMRC.
- Can I claim tax relief on professional fees and subscriptions?You may claim tax relief on professional fees and subscriptions to approved bodies needed for your job. Who qualifies and how to claim from HMRC.
- Can I claim mileage allowance relief for using my own car?If you use your own vehicle for work and your employer pays less than HMRC’s approved mileage rates, you can claim the difference as tax relief. How it works.
- What business travel can I claim tax relief on?Employees can claim tax relief on the cost of necessary business travel that is not reimbursed. What counts, what does not, and how to claim from HMRC.
- How does the Personal Savings Allowance work?The Personal Savings Allowance lets most people earn savings interest tax-free up to a limit that depends on your tax band. How it works and who it helps.
- What is the starting rate for savings?The starting rate for savings can let lower earners receive savings interest tax-free. How the 0% band works alongside your Personal Allowance.
- How does Tax-Free Childcare work?Tax-Free Childcare tops up money you pay towards childcare for eligible working parents. Who qualifies and how to set up your account with the government.
- How does pension tax relief work?Pension contributions attract tax relief, effectively topping up what you save for retirement. How relief works and the main ways it is given.
- How do I claim higher-rate pension tax relief?Higher and additional-rate taxpayers often need to claim extra pension tax relief from HMRC themselves. How to check and claim what you are owed.
- How does Gift Aid tax relief work?Gift Aid lets charities reclaim basic-rate tax on your donations, and higher-rate taxpayers can claim extra relief. How it works and who benefits.
- What is Blind Person’s Allowance?Blind Person’s Allowance is an extra tax-free amount for people who are registered blind or severely sight impaired. Who qualifies and how to claim.
- What is the difference between Marriage Allowance and Married Couple’s Allowance?Marriage Allowance and Married Couple’s Allowance are different reliefs with different rules. How to tell them apart and which one you might qualify for.
- How do the self-employed claim working-from-home costs?Self-employed people can claim a share of home running costs as a business expense. The simplified flat rate versus actual costs, and how to claim.
- How does the Rent a Room Scheme work?The Rent a Room Scheme lets you earn tax-free income from letting a furnished room in your home, up to a set limit. How it works and who can use it.
- What is the trading allowance?The trading allowance lets you earn a small amount of self-employment or casual income tax-free each year. How it works and when you need to declare.
- What is the property allowance?The property allowance lets you earn a small amount of property income tax-free each year. How it works and when you need to declare to HMRC.
- How do I get tax relief on charity donations?Donating to charity can reduce your tax through Gift Aid and, for higher earners, extra relief. The main ways to give tax-efficiently and how to claim.
- What job expenses can employees claim tax relief on?Employees can claim tax relief on certain work costs their employer does not reimburse, from uniforms to travel and tools. What qualifies and how to claim.
- How do I get a tax rebate if I have overpaid tax?If you have paid too much Income Tax, you may be owed a rebate. Common reasons for overpaying and how to reclaim it from HMRC for free.
- How do I get a refund after being put on an emergency tax code?Being put on an emergency tax code can mean you pay too much tax for a while. How emergency codes work and how to get any overpayment refunded.
- How do I check if my tax code is wrong?A wrong tax code can mean you pay too much or too little tax. How to read your tax code, spot mistakes and get it corrected by HMRC.
- What is a P800 tax calculation and can I get a refund?A P800 is HMRC’s calculation showing whether you paid the right tax. What it means, how to claim a refund and what to do if you disagree.
- Can I get a tax refund when I stop working?Stopping work part-way through the tax year can leave you owed a refund. Why it happens and how to claim back tax you have overpaid from HMRC.
- How do construction workers claim a CIS tax refund?Subcontractors taxed under the Construction Industry Scheme often overpay and can claim a refund. How CIS deductions work and how to reclaim what you are owed.
- How do self-employed people get pension tax relief?Self-employed people can get tax relief on personal pension contributions. How relief works for sole traders and how to make sure you claim it all.
- Can I claim tax relief on professional training?Work-related training can sometimes attract tax relief, but the rules differ for employees and the self-employed. What qualifies and how to claim.
- Can I claim tax relief on union fees?Some trade union subscriptions qualify for tax relief where the union is on HMRC’s approved list. How to check and claim relief on your union fees.
- Can I claim tax relief for replacing work tools?If you replace tools you need for your job and your employer does not pay for them, you may claim tax relief. How it works and how to claim from HMRC.
- What tax relief can nurses and healthcare workers claim?Nurses and healthcare workers may claim tax relief on uniform upkeep, professional fees and other work costs. What qualifies and how to claim from HMRC.
- What tax relief can teachers claim?Teachers may claim tax relief on professional subscriptions, specialist clothing and certain work costs their employer does not cover. What qualifies.
- What tax relief can mechanics claim?Mechanics often buy their own tools and can claim tax relief on tools, equipment and uniform upkeep their employer does not cover. What qualifies.
- Can hospitality workers claim tax relief for uniforms?Hospitality staff who wash a required uniform themselves may claim tax relief on the upkeep. Who qualifies, what counts as a uniform and how to claim.
- How do I reclaim tax on savings interest using an R40?If tax was wrongly taken from your savings interest, an R40 form lets you reclaim it from HMRC. When to use an R40 and how the savings allowances apply.
- Do I pay tax on savings interest over my allowance?Savings interest above your Personal Savings Allowance is taxable. How the allowance works by tax band and how HMRC collects any tax you owe.
- What is the High Income Child Benefit Charge?The High Income Child Benefit Charge can claw back Child Benefit where someone’s income is above a threshold. How it works and your options.
- Can I claim tax back on PPI payout interest?PPI refunds often included statutory interest with tax deducted. If your allowance covers it, you may reclaim that tax from HMRC. How it works.
- What tax relief is available on EIS investments?The Enterprise Investment Scheme offers tax reliefs to encourage investment in qualifying smaller companies. A factual overview of how EIS relief works.
- What tax relief is available on SEIS investments?The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme offers tax reliefs for investing in very early-stage companies. A factual overview of how SEIS relief works.
- How does the Capital Gains Tax allowance work?Most people have a tax-free allowance for capital gains each year before tax applies. How the allowance works and when you may need to report gains.
- How does the dividend allowance work?You can receive a set amount of dividend income tax-free each year before dividend tax applies. How the allowance works and how dividends are taxed.
- Can I claim tax relief for mileage when volunteering?Volunteers using their own car can usually be reimbursed mileage tax-free up to approved rates. How volunteer mileage works and where tax relief fits.
- Can I claim tax relief on professional indemnity insurance?Professional indemnity insurance you need for your job may attract tax relief. How relief works for employees and the self-employed, and how to claim.
- What are flat-rate job expenses and how do they work?HMRC sets flat-rate expense allowances for many occupations, letting workers claim a set amount without receipts. How they work and how to claim.
- Can I claim Marriage Allowance if my partner has died?You may still be able to claim or backdate Marriage Allowance for years when you both qualified, even if your spouse or civil partner has died. How it works.
- How do I claim tax relief from HMRC?There are several ways to claim tax relief from HMRC, depending on the relief and your circumstances. The main routes and how to claim for free.
- How do I avoid tax rebate scams?Tax rebate scams trick people into handing over details or paying for free claims. How to spot fake HMRC messages and protect yourself.