Introduction: Getting Paid is Great—But Paying Tax Doesn’t Have to Hurt

Let’s be honest—no one enjoys overpaying on their tax bill. But if you're shelling out your own money for work-related costs, you could be entitled to tax relief.

Whether you’re an employee paying for your own tools, a self-employed contractor footing travel costs, or a director running a small business, knowing how to claim relief on your business expenses can save you hundreds—sometimes thousands—every year.

In this blog, we’ll break down exactly what qualifies as a claimable expense, how to go about claiming it (HMRC won’t do it for you), and how to make sure you’re not missing out on money that’s rightfully yours.

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What Is Tax Relief on Job Expenses, Exactly?

In short, tax relief is when HMRC allows you to reduce your taxable income based on certain work-related costs you've paid out of pocket.

Think of it as a refund on the portion of your business expenses that directly support your job—but weren’t reimbursed by your employer.

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Here’s a simple example:
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You’re a surveyor and need to buy specialist tools or boots. If your employer doesn’t cover that cost, HMRC may let you claim tax relief on the amount spent. That reduces your overall taxable income, meaning you owe less tax.

It’s not about claiming everything under the sun—it’s about knowing which expenses qualify, and how to prove them.

HMRC allows both employees and self-employed individuals to claim certain expenses. The rules just differ slightly:

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Employees (PAYE)

You can claim tax relief only on costs that are:

• Essential for your role
• Not reimbursed by your employer
• Directly related to your work

Self-Employed & Freelancers

You’ve got more flexibility. Most allowable business expenses can be claimed as deductions from your profits—this lowers your tax bill directly.

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What Kind of Expenses Qualify?

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Tools & Equipment

If you’re required to buy (and maintain) equipment to do your job—like electric drills, uniforms, laptops, or even specialist safety gear—you can often claim tax relief on those costs.

Pro Tip: Uniforms must be branded or required for the role (think: nurses’ scrubs, branded overalls). A plain business suit doesn’t count—even if you wear it to meetings.

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Travel Costs

Travel is a big one, but here’s where people often get tripped up:

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You can claim

• Business mileage (not your commute to a fixed office)
• Public transport fares to temporary work sites
• Parking fees (not fines!)
• Hotel stays for overnight business travel

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You can’t claim:

• Normal commuting costs (e.g. train fare from home to your office)
• Personal side trips on a business journey

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Working from Home Expenses

If you work from home—whether full-time or hybrid—you may be eligible to claim:

• A flat-rate home office allowance (currently £6/week without receipts)
• A proportion of household bills (electricity, internet, heating) based on work
• Office furniture or tech you purchase personally for work use

Phones,Subscriptions & Other Bits

• Mobile & Internet bills: You can claim the work-use proportion.
• Professional fees or subscriptions: Must be to HMRC-approved bodies (like ACCA, RICS, etc.).‍
• Training: If it maintains your current skills (not for learning a new trade), it may qualify.

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How Much Could You Get Back?

It depends on:

• How much you’ve spent
• Your income tax rate (20%, 40%, etc.)

For example, if you claim £500 in eligible business expenses and you’re a basic rate taxpayer (20%), you’ll get £100 back in tax relief.

High earners stand to benefit even more—£500 of allowable expenses could reduce their tax bill by £200 if they fall into the 40% bracket.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

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• Claiming personal expenses as business (e.g., casual clothes, everyday petrol)
• Guessing figures without proof (always keep receipts or logbooks)
• Missing deadlines (You usually have up to 4 years to claim, but don’t delay)

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Conclusion: Don’t Leave Free Money on the Table

If you’ve been spending your own money to do your job better, faster, or more safely—HMRC may owe you. Whether it’s tools, travel, training, or your home office setup, you could be missing out on legitimate tax relief.

Understanding what counts as business expenses and how to claim them is one of the simplest ways to legally reduce your tax bill. But like anything with HMRC, there are rules—and they change.

The smartest move? Get professional advice. We help clients across the UK make the most of their expenses while staying compliant.

Let’s talk. If you’ve got receipts, bills, or even just questions—we’ll help you work out what you can claim and handle the paperwork for you. Get in touch for a friendly, jargon-free chat.

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