Can I claim tax relief for washing my work uniform?

Yes — if you're required to wear a recognisable uniform or protective clothing and wash it yourself, you can claim tax relief. The flat rate for most jobs is £60 per year, giving basic rate taxpayers £12 back.

What counts as a uniform for tax relief?

A uniform must be clearly recognisable as identifying you as someone with a particular job (like a nurse or police officer) or branded with your employer's logo. Plain black trousers or white shirts don't count.

How far back can I claim uniform tax relief?

You can claim for the current tax year plus the previous 4 tax years. In 2025/26, you could claim back to 2021/22 — potentially 5 years of relief.

How do I claim uniform tax relief?

For flat rate claims, use HMRC's online service or P87 form. For actual costs, you need to submit a self assessment tax return. Most people use the simpler flat rate.

Claiming Tax Back on Work Uniform — UK Guide | PocketWise

Claiming Tax Back on Work Uniform — UK Guide

Find out if you can claim tax relief for washing your work uniform, buying protective equipment, or wearing branded clothing. How to claim up to 5 years back.

By PocketWise · 23 March 2026 · 5 min read

If you wear a uniform or protective clothing for work, you may be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of cleaning it. Here’s how to claim.

Who Can Claim Uniform Tax Relief?

You Can Claim If:

Requirement	Details
Wear a uniform	Recognisable as your job
Employer doesn’t pay	No washing allowance from employer
You wash it yourself	At home, not work facilities
Branded/identifiable	Logo or clearly occupational

You Cannot Claim If:

Situation	Why Not
Employer pays washing allowance	Already compensated
Plain business clothing	Not actually uniform
Choice to wear	Must be required
Employer washes it	No expense to you

What Counts as a Uniform?

Qualifying Clothing

✅ Qualifies	❌ Doesn’t Qualify
Nurse uniform	Plain white shirt
Chef whites	Black trousers
Police uniform	Smart business suit
Airline crew uniform	Ordinary work clothes
Logo’d polo shirt	Non-branded polo
Hotel uniform	Your own black dress
Protective overalls	Plain jeans
High-vis jacket	Non-safety casual jacket

The Key Test

Can someone tell what you do by looking at your clothes?

Nurse in blue scrubs = Yes = Qualifies
Office worker in suit = No = Doesn’t qualify

Tax Relief Amounts

Flat Rate Allowances (2025/26)

HMRC publishes flat rate allowances by occupation:

Occupation	Annual Flat Rate
Healthcare (uniform)	£60
Police	£140
Ambulance staff	£60
Airline cabin crew	£60
Hotel workers	£60
Construction	£60
Agriculture/forestry	£60
Armed forces	£60
Fire service	£80
Prison service	£80
Most other uniforms	£60

What the Flat Rate Is Worth

Tax Band	Annual Flat Rate	Tax Relief
Basic rate (20%)	£60	£12 back
Higher rate (40%)	£60	£24 back
Additional (45%)	£60	£27 back

Example: 5 Years Backdated

Claim	Amount
5 years @ £60	£300 flat rate
Basic rate relief (20%)	£60 refund
Higher rate relief (40%)	£120 refund

How to Claim (Flat Rate Method)

Online — Fastest Method

Go to gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees
Sign in with Government Gateway
Select “Claim for washing work uniform”
Choose occupation
Select years to claim
Submit claim

By Post — P87 Form

Download P87 form from gov.uk
Complete sections for uniform expense
Tick years you’re claiming for
Post to: Pay As You Earn and Self Assessment, HM Revenue and Customs, BX9 1AS

Through Self Assessment

If you already file a tax return:

Include in Employment page
Enter flat rate amount under expenses
Submit with your return

Claiming Actual Costs

When to Use Actual Costs

Situation	Claim Method
Costs less than flat rate	Use flat rate anyway
Costs more than flat rate	Consider actual costs
Requires self assessment	Must file tax return
Need receipts/evidence	Must keep records

What Actual Costs Cover

Expense	Claimable?
Washing at home	Yes (calculated)
Dry cleaning bills	Yes
Repairs to uniform	Yes
Replacement uniform	If employer doesn’t provide

Washing at Home Calculation

Factor	HMRC Guidance
Electricity/water	Proportionate cost
Detergent	Actual cost
Wear and tear on machine	Proportion
Complex to calculate	Most people use flat rate

Protective Clothing & Tools

Beyond Uniforms

You may also claim for:

Item	Claimable?
Safety boots	Yes (if you buy, employer requires)
Hard hat	Yes
High-vis vest	Yes
Protective gloves	Yes
Tools (if required)	Yes
Professional subscriptions	Yes (if required for job)

Claiming Tools & Equipment

Requirement	Details
Essential for job	Must be required
Not provided by employer	You pay yourself
Used only for work	No dual-purpose items
Keep receipts	Evidence of purchase

Common Jobs That Qualify

Healthcare

Role	Flat Rate
Nurses	£60
Midwives	£60
Dental nurses	£60
Healthcare assistants	£60
Paramedics	£60

Emergency Services

Role	Flat Rate
Police officers	£140
Firefighters	£80
Prison officers	£80
Ambulance staff	£60

Hospitality & Retail

Role	Flat Rate
Hotel staff (uniformed)	£60
Chefs (whites)	£60
Restaurant staff (uniform)	£60
Supermarket staff (branded)	£60

Transport

Role	Flat Rate
Cabin crew	£60
Bus drivers (uniformed)	£60
Train staff	£60

Trades

Role	Flat Rate
Construction workers	£60
Electricians	£60
Plumbers	£60
Engineers	£60

How Far Back Can You Claim?

Backdating Rules

Tax Year	Claimable in 2025/26?
2025/26	Yes (current year)
2024/25	Yes
2023/24	Yes
2022/23	Yes
2021/22	Yes
2020/21	No — too late

Example Backdated Claim

Years	Flat Rate Total	Basic Rate Relief
5 years @ £60	£300	£60
5 years @ £140 (police)	£700	£140

How You Receive Your Tax Relief

For PAYE Employees

Method	How It Works
Tax code adjustment	Future tax reduced
Cheque/BACS	Refund for past years
Via self assessment	Reduces tax bill

Typical Outcomes

Claim Type	Result
Current year	Tax code changed for future
Backdated years	Refund to bank
Self assessment	Reduces return liability

Common Questions

Do I Need Receipts?

Claim Type	Receipts Needed?
Flat rate	No
Actual costs	Yes
Backdated flat rate	No

My Employer Pays Some Allowance

If employer pays less than the flat rate, claim the difference.

Scenario	Claim
Flat rate = £60, employer pays £0	Claim £60
Flat rate = £60, employer pays £30	Claim £30
Flat rate = £60, employer pays £60+	Can’t claim

What If I Work Part-Time?

You can still claim the flat rate — it’s not reduced for part-time workers.

Scam Warning

Avoid Uniform Tax Refund Scams

Red Flag	Why Suspicious
Cold calls about uniform claim	HMRC doesn’t cold call
“We can get you £1,000s back”	Exaggerated claims
Upfront fees	Legitimate claims cost nothing
High percentage fees	Typically 30-50% taken
Fill this form quickly	Pressure tactics

Claim Yourself for Free

The claim process is simple and free directly with HMRC. Don’t pay companies to do it.

Summary

Key Point	Detail
Who qualifies	Required uniform/protective clothing
Flat rate	£60-140/year (occupation dependent)
Relief amount	20-45% of flat rate
Backdated	Up to 4 previous years
How to claim	Online at gov.uk — free
Evidence	Not needed for flat rate
Avoid scams	Never pay someone to claim for you