Claiming money for work boots (from the tax man)

redrabbit29

I need boots for work, they are part of my job and essential to my role. The organisation don't pay for them, but my friend (also does the same job) was saying he claimed money back from the tax man by sending a letter to the address listed on the payslip.

I couldn't find out any more details from my friend about this so I'm not entirely clear on the process. I was wondering if anyone knew much about this? Is it as simple as sending a letter to the tax office and asking for the money?

Thanks everyone.

king_of_the_penguins

If you are employed and required to wear boots for work as personal protection equipment then the company must provide them at no cost to yourself. A smaller company may ask you to get them and then reimburse you, however this should have no tax implications.

terryw

king_of_the_penguins wrote: »

If you are employed and required to wear boots for work as personal protection equipment then the company must provide them at no cost to yourself. A smaller company may ask you to get them and then reimburse you, however this should have no tax implications.

HMRC have lists of fixed expenses (taking one year with another for many different trades. Easiest way is to write to your tax office requesting the fixed allowance for protective boots and clothing for a shunter-packers assistant or whatever.

Here's a link to the HMRC site about work boots www.hmrc.gov.uk/incometax/relief-tools.htm

terryw

ic31420

Sorry to bump this topic, but i have just done the above. However it is not an allowance for boots as such, more as the lady at the IR stated an allowance for people who wash their uniform. And lets face it the £2 a month that i am now better off would hardly pay for any decent boots. It doesnt even keep me in "leder gris", but it is better than a poke in the eye with a soggy turd!

Lost2

Have you tried

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/paye/forms-publications.htm#x6

Lexxi

http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/ppe.htm

Has the employer removed the risks or put other measures in place so as not to make the boots essentials? Could you try speaking with the HR department?

ic31420

Lost2 wrote: »

Have you tried

link snipped as i cant post them

Please correct me if i am wrong but that seems to be for when you actually receive money from your employer (expenses) in return for your buying something. In my case i do not receive any payment for my boots.

Lexxi wrote: »

link snipped as i cant post them

Has the employer removed the risks or put other measures in place so as not to make the boots essentials? Could you try speaking with the HR department?

I doubt that there are any risks as such, it is simply mandated that when at work as part of ones uniform one must wear black work shoes/boots, that they should have a plain front and be laced up and of stout construction, have no offensive words or branding etc.

They are use predominantly for walking, there is some suggestion that to caps would not be permitted.

Glad

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere (please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

terryw

What is your job?

DVardysShadow

ic31420 wrote: »

Sorry to bump this topic, but i have just done the above. However it is not an allowance for boots as such, more as the lady at the IR stated an allowance for people who wash their uniform. And lets face it the £2 a month that i am now better off would hardly pay for any decent boots. It doesnt even keep me in "leder gris", but it is better than a poke in the eye with a soggy turd!

It is not meant to pay for your boots. Just for the tax on the money you spend on boots.

fengirl_2

You need to look up your job on the HMRC list - it does not matter what the money is spent on, this is an agreed tax deduction for that job, whether you actually buy anything or not. Write to your tax office stating that you do xx job and wish to claim the deduction from xxxx. Ask for a payable order for previous years and a tax code change for this year.