P87 Tax rebate on tools - advice and which section of the form to use and have 2 questions

simplysounds

1st question: Been working part time as a maintenance engineer at a leisure centre for 2 years and I'm paid the UK minimum wage. I have to buy my own tools. I want to claim back the tax on the tools purchased. Which section of the p87 form do i use?
2nd question: I bought tools when I started but I wasn't paying tax as I was under the tax threshold. As I wasn't paying tax I was advised I couldn't claim any money back on tools (which seems discriminately for low paid workers that have to buy tools for their job).  I've now had an increase of the UK minimum wage and do more contracted hours than before. I now pay a small amount of tax each month. Could I back claim tax for the tools I purchased for the year that I didn't have to pay tax? It advises you can back date claims up to 4 years ago?

Dazed_and_C0nfused

simplysounds said:

1st question: Been working part time as a maintenance engineer at a leisure centre for 2 years and I'm paid the UK minimum wage. I have to buy my own tools. I want to claim back the tax on the tools purchased. Which section of the p87 form do i use?
2nd question: I bought tools when I started but I wasn't paying tax as I was under the tax threshold. As I wasn't paying tax I was advised I couldn't claim any money back on tools (which seems discriminately for low paid workers that have to buy tools for their job).  I've now had an increase of the UK minimum wage and do more contracted hours than before. I now pay a small amount of tax each month. Could I back claim tax for the tools I purchased for the year that I didn't have to pay tax? It advises you can back date claims up to 4 years ago?

If you didn't pay an tax in particular tax year how can you get a tax refund for that year 🤔

There is nothing to stop you making an expenses claim for that year but if you didn't pay tax it's a monumental waste of your time. And HMRC's.

[Deleted User]

simplysounds said:

1st question: Been working part time as a maintenance engineer at a leisure centre for 2 years and I'm paid the UK minimum wage. I have to buy my own tools. I want to claim back the tax on the tools purchased. Which section of the p87 form do i use?
2nd question: I bought tools when I started but I wasn't paying tax as I was under the tax threshold. As I wasn't paying tax I was advised I couldn't claim any money back on tools (which seems discriminately for low paid workers that have to buy tools for their job).  I've now had an increase of the UK minimum wage and do more contracted hours than before. I now pay a small amount of tax each month. Could I back claim tax for the tools I purchased for the year that I didn't have to pay tax? It advises you can back date claims up to 4 years ago?

You don’t claim tax back on the tools. You claim the expense of the tools against tax paid under PAYE. If you didn’t pay tax in the year of the expense there is nothing to claim back. 

Bookworm105

and just to add, for those years where you have paid "a small amount of tax each month" if you have any purchases in that tax year, then check if you paid more tax for the entire year than you are claiming back, otherwise your refund will be capped at the total tax you actually paid.

you enter your total in section 7 other expenses and describe it as tools obviously. You do not need to submit details of each item, but of course you will need to keep those details in your own records in case HMRC ever ask for them