Claiming back tax on tools.

own520

I have been a mechanic for 30 years and have had to buy a substantial amount of tools and tool boxes during my time of employment.
I remember a few years ago companies were sending information around garages in the area claiming they could apply for tax rebates for tools bought.
My question is does anyone know if I am able to claim back tax on my tools and is it a complicated process.

Thanks in advance.

TheCyclingProgrammer

Are you employed or self-employed? For employees, expenses have to be incurred wholly, exclusively and necessarily for the purposes of doing their job. If the tools were necessary, one would expect the employer to provide them.

booksurr

it is normal for garage mechanics to have to buy their own tools (means they do not steal those provided by the employer and reduces the chance that a colleague will steal ones they own as that would be stealing from a mate. When the employee leaves they then take those tools with them to their next employer)

you need receipts for each and every purchase you made, no receipt = no claim
(if you bought from SnapOn or Mac or one of the other tool van operators they should be able to provide you with a printed purchase history which is an acceptable surrogate)

if the total of your purchases in any one tax year (6th April - 5th April) is less than £2,500 you claim by declaring the total for each tax year individually, ie you are claiming year by year not one single total covering the whole lot in one go, see here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/income-tax-tax-relief-for-expenses-of-employment-p87

if your total in anyone tax year is more than £2,500 you will need to contact HMRC as technically they require you to do a full tax return for that year

own520

Thank you for the reply. I have pretty much all of my receipts in a folder. Do you know if there is a limit to how far back I can claim? Would they take copies of the original receipts?

Sorry for the stupid questions, thanks again

Savvy_Sue

Four years, and you wouldn't have to supply the receipts in any form, unless they decided to investigate you for some reason, which is unlikely if your claims are reasonable.

Ganga

On the tax form that you have to fill in it used to have a box that you ticked if you had to purchase overalls,boots,tools etc. for your job and the goverment gave you an allowance that had been agreed between the goverment and the trade in which you were employed.
I used to always tick the box,overalls were supplied but like you i used to buy a lot of tools as every company i have worked for expected me to have my own.

dave128

I have just done a tax claim for last year and I have been turned down as I dont meet requirements even though I wasnt asked for receipts or asked what I do for a job has anyone else had this problem

dori2o

dave128 wrote: »

I have just done a tax claim for last year and I have been turned down as I dont meet requirements even though I wasnt asked for receipts or asked what I do for a job has anyone else had this problem

The letter you received advising that HMRC do not believe that you meet the requirements will tell you what additional information you need to provide if you disagree with the decision.

Alternatively, the letter should tell you that if you disagree you should fill in a tax return in order to claim the expenses, but, this return may be selected to be reviewed.

What is your job title and what expenses are you trying to claim?

dori2o

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Four years, and you wouldn't have to supply the receipts in any form, unless they decided to investigate you for some reason, which is unlikely if your claims are reasonable.

Whilst there is no requirement to submit receipts with your claim, if the value of the claim is more than the Flat Rate Expense for the relevant trade then HMRC will write back and request them if the claim is made outside of Self Assessment.


If no receipt can be provided for an item when requested then no relief will be given.

In order to save time I would always suggest sending in receipts where possible.

It is the taxpayers responsibility to prove an expense has been incurred.