Claiming for work-wear.

Benthos_boy

I'm currently working for a large caravan park and in the course of my work I regularly wear safety clothing and equipment, such as boiler suits, wellington and safety boots, safety helmets, etc. . My firm doesn't actively supply any of this, other than gloves and safety glasses. If I purchase any safety equipment for use at work, which I'm happy to, can I claim the cost back from those awfully nice people at the Inland Revenue?

Thanks in advance.

jillie1974

i get £40 a month for uniform cleaning. never applied for it as far as i can remeber tho... so give them a call.

tanith

If wearing safety equipment is an essential element of your job then I would think your company have to supply the necessary.... sorry I don't know about the legal side of things but can't imagine for one minute that the IR would pay for any of this... safety boots and helmet should be supplied if necessary.... you can claim an allowance for cleaning of work clothes...

U've_been_framed

I am pretty sure that your employers have a legal duty to supply you with personal protective equipment to allow you to carry out your duties safely. I am not sure who decides what is essential but there are some regulations.
For example: you work in a caravan park. If you are working in an area where there are moving vehicles you should wear a high visibility waistcoat at all times.

gillette147

It's the law that your company must proved any PPE that they state you should wear in their Health and Safety policy.

If they employ less than 5 employees then their policy need not be written down. But they must still have a policy and you have a right to ask what it is.

talkinpeace

OP
To answer your basic question, you as an employee generally cannot put expenses relating to your employment through a personal tax return.
Your employer is required to supply PPE (or the HSE will eat them for breakfast) if you are buying extras of your choice that they will not refund through your expenses, that is your choice.
And in Schedule E land, if it's your choice it's not deductible.

Murdina

If everyone who did this job had to have this equipment and it is necessary, I think you could claim a deduction (the question of health and safety is interesting, and maybe HMRC would say if it were necessary, employer would provide it - but that may not be the full story). Have a look at their manuals on their website eg http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/eimanual/EIM32470.htm
If you read on a bit, you will see that a lot of industries have agreed flat rate deductions to cover the cost of laundering etc clothing provided by employer - as per jille1974 above - but in these cases, there is nothing to stop you claiming the actual costs you incur - it's just a simplification.
Hope that maybe helps. Personally, I would write to your tax office and make a claim setting out all the facts.