"Flat Rate Job Expenses"?

scottishgirl87

Can anyone help with this? Boyfriend has just recieved the dreaded letter saying he owes tax from 2010-2011 :mad: However, on the letter it states "Flat Rate Job Expenses" of £60 which has then been added onto his annual salary.

Explanation down the side says "Minus any payments you made that qualify for tax relief (such as expenses against employment income)". We have no idea what this is? Boyfriend started a new job last September, but neither his current job or his previous job were the type of jobs to claim expenses in so as far as we're aware he hasn't had any expenses.

dzug1

I'd have though taken off rather than added on.....

It's a typical allowance for laundry of uniform at home.

scottishgirl87

dzug1 wrote: »

I'd have though taken off rather than added on.....

It's a typical allowance for laundry of uniform at home.

Oh sorry, I've just realised they've deducted it, you're right.

It still isn't right though, he works in retail and it's just par for the course that you wash your own uniform, not like in the NHS, etc. I used to work in retail myself and never had this either.

dzug1

If you wash your own uniform (and HMRC can be picky about what constitutes uniform) then you ARE entitled to a tax allowance. Some employers (or unions) negotiate a figure, others leave it to the individual. But 'par for the course' is indicative of a non unionised workforce with a don't care exploitative employer, not what is 'right'.

scottishgirl87

dzug1 wrote: »

If you wash your own uniform (and HMRC can be picky about what constitutes uniform) then you ARE entitled to a tax allowance. Some employers (or unions) negotiate a figure, others leave it to the individual. But 'par for the course' is indicative of a non unionised workforce with a don't care exploitative employer, not what is 'right'.

Thanks for your help, dzug. I've just looked on HMRC's website and it states:

What about uniforms

You can get tax relief on the cost of repairing, cleaning or replacing a uniform if:

• it's a recognisable uniform that shows you've got a certain sort of job - like a nurse or police uniform
• your employer requires you to wear it while you're working
• you've got to pay for it yourself

Still a little confused, it's a recognisable uniform only that it has the stores logo on it, doesn't show he has a certain sort of job really, only that he's part of the store staff. He is required to wear it while working but he didn't have to pay for it himself :huh:

Definitely need to phone them anyway.

Mikeyorks

That's the wrong bit.

The £60 relates to the fact he has to launder a recognised uniform. I also find it a bit odd - but there are nationally agreed 'flat rates'.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/eimanual/EIM32712.htm

Right hand column - probably under 'Food'? The £60 is the 'relief' - it normally translates to £60 @ 20% = £12pa in actual tax.

scottishgirl87

Mikeyorks wrote: »

That's the wrong bit.

The £60 relates to the fact he has to launder a recognised uniform. I also find it a bit odd - but there are nationally agreed 'flat rates'.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/eimanual/EIM32712.htm

Right hand column - probably under 'Food'? The £60 is the 'relief' - it normally translates to £60 @ 20% = £12pa in actual tax.

Ok, so by this reckoning does this mean we've both been missing out on this for years? As I said, I used to work in retail also and never received this before. Don't believe boyfriend has received it before either.

BoGoF

It's possible that he made a claim years ago, HMRC wouldn't automatically give it, and it's been carried forward to future years.

It's usually only given for 'uniform' which bears a logo but could also be a 'trade' FRE for protective clothing or tools.