Saving tax PAYE

mercurystar999

Hi i am looking for advice on how to save tax. I am an Electrician with the local Housing Association. I see you can claim back for washing your uniform at home is there anything else i could claim for. I.E tools etc.

Thanks Neil

pchelpman

Golden rule for deducting expenses under PAYE is that the expenses must be "wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred in the perfomance of your duties".

Might not sound much (if you say it quickly) but it's a massive requirement and usually rules out most things.

Your professional and/or trade association may have an agreement with the Revenue about some common things, like the cleaning of your uniform you mention, so I would check there first.

Then, I'm afraid, it's down to you to try and decide what you think fulfils those conditions. However, it will be hard in most cases. The Revenue will apply all 4 words - "wholly", "exclusively", "necessarily" and "in" - strictly. You must do the same. Dispassionately.

Savvy_Sue

If you are a member of a professional association that's normally OK. I think. As pchelpman says, they're probably the best people to ask.

YorkshireBoy

As an electrician, you may qualify for a "tool" allowance (flat rate expenses) on your tax code. I've enjoyed this since I was an apprentice many years ago, and from memory it is worth around £90 a year on your personal allowances - I'd have to check my tax coding to confirm.

These flat rate expenses are normally negotiated by trades unions, but you don't have to belong to one to benefit from the allowance.

If you search the https://www.hmrc.go.uk site for "flat rate expenses electrician", you will find information to help you. In particular, I think the following flowchart will especially assist...

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/senew/se32730a-flow.htm

mercurystar999

I get a tool allowance with work per week, i dont think that it is part of my tax code though it gets added to my wages and i think i pay tax on that!

YorkshireBoy

mercurystar999 wrote:

I get a tool allowance with work per week, i dont think that it is part of my tax code though it gets added to my wages and i think i pay tax on that!

I'm no tax expert, but the above looks like a P11D benefit.

My tax coding notice has a "flat rate job expenses" amount of £90 in the left hand column. Aside it is a note referring to section 10 in the "Understanding your tax code" booklet.

I think the best thing to do is ring/visit your local tax office for help with this - the number's on your notice of coding.