Police Tax Relief Information

Police Officers can claim tax relief for the cost of washing uniforms, the cost of police federation fees and for use of own car or public transport for work purposes.

On this page you will find information about:

Police Officers’ Tax Relief for the Cost Of Laundering Uniform

What you need to know:

  • The laundering of uniform allowance can still be claimed even if your uniform is not worn.
  • You can claim if you are a Police Officer up to and including the rank of Chief Inspector.

How much can be claimed?

HMRC has identified a flat rate amount that police officers can claim to compensate them for the costs incurred maintaining their uniform. This tax relief is currently worth £140 per tax year. This applies to all police officers with the rank up to and including Chief Inspector. A claim can be backdated for the last four tax years starting from the 2015/2016 tax year.

What about other police employees including Community Support Officers?

Community Support Officers can generally claim the same laundering of uniform allowance of £140 per tax year. Other police employees usually can claim an allowance of £60 per tax year if they wear a uniform with a logo and laundry facilities are not available. Unfortunately this doesn’t include Special Constables.

Police Tax Relief for the cost of Police Federation Fees

The criteria:

How much can be claimed?

Tax Relief can be claimed on the full amount paid into the Police Federations and a claim can currently be made for the last four tax years.

Police Tax Relief Using Own Car for Work Purposes

The criteria:

  • You drive to different work locations in your own vehicle.  This doesn’t include your daily commute from home to the station.
  • Your employer relocates you to a different workplace for a maximum of 24 months.
  • Your employer does not pay you the full mileage rate of 45p per mile up to 10,000 miles and after 25p per mile. Different rates apply for motorbikes.
  • You get the full mileage rate, but it’s taxed.
  • You’ve got the paperwork to back up your claim. For example, travel logs and your payslips showing any partial reimbursement.

How much can I claim?

How much you can claim back depends on whether any mileage allowance paid is taxed or untaxed. A mileage claim can be made for the last four tax years. The allowable business mileage rates for the 2019-2020 tax year are:-

  • 45p per mile up to 10,000 miles
  • 25p per mile thereafter

If you are paid a mileage allowance by your employer and the allowance is not taxed, this must be deducted from any mileage claim.

The total business mileage allowance figure calculated is not the total amount of money to be repaid as a tax rebate. The amount of tax to be repaid is either at 20% or 40% of the total mileage allowance figure, whichever rate of income tax you pay.

You are also entitled to claim for associated costs, such as parking fees, tolls and congestion charges.

Police Tax Relief for use of Public Transport for Work Purposes

The criteria:

  • You are travelling to a ‘temporary workplace’
  • The total cost of your ticket and other public transport expenses is not repaid to your by your employer.

How much can I claim?

You can claim tax relief on the cost of using public transport for work. You will need to keep your ticket receipts as evidence of your claim.

Claim your Police Officer tax rebate

For further Tax Refund information, please follow the links below:

Tax Refunds by Employment

  • Healthcare Worker Tax Rebates includes:
    Can I Claim Tax Relief for Professional Fees?
    Can I Claim Tax Relief for the Cost of Shoes and Tights?
    What about Tax Relief for Laundry Costs?
    Can I claim Tax Relief for Business Mileage?
    Can I claim Tax Relief for Specialist Equipment?

  • Nurse Tax Refunds includes:
    Nurse Tax relief for the cost of laundering of Uniform
    Nurse Tax relief for the cost of shoes and tights
    Nurse Tax relief for professional fees – RCN Tax, Unison Tax, NMC Tax
    Nurse Tax Relief for use of own car or public transport for work purposes

  • Teacher Tax Refunds includes:
    Teacher Tax Relief for professional fees – NUT tax relief, NASUWT tax relief.
    Teacher Tax Relief Books and Journals
    Teacher Tax Relief for specialist clothing
    Teacher Tax Relief for Equipment Purchased for Work Use
    Teacher Tax Relief for qualifying travelling expenses

  • Tax Relief for Washing of Uniform includes:
    Am I Eligible for Uniform Tax Relief for Washing Uniform?
    What am I actually claiming back?
    How much will I get from a Uniform Tax Relief claim?
    Can I claim for any other Tax Relief?
  • Mechanic Tax Claim Refunds includes:
    Tool Tax relief– What are Flat Rate Expenses?
    Tool Tax relief– What are Capital Allowances?
    What About Tax Relief for Specialist Clothing?

  • Tax Claim Refunds for Trades / Construction Industry Workers under PAYE includes:
    Can I claim Tax Relief for Business Mileage?
    Can I Claim Tax Relief for other using Public Transport?
    What about Accommodation and Subsistence?
    Tool Tax Refund: What are Flat Rate Expenses
    Tool Tax Refund – What are Capital Allowances?
    Can I Claim Tax Relief for Specialist Clothing?

  • Doctor Tax Refunds includes:
    Doctors Tax relief for professional fees
    Doctors tax relief for Professional Indemnity Insurance
    Doctor Tax Relief for business use of car
    Tools and equipment purchased for work use

  • Student Tax Refund includes:
    If I am a student can I claim a Student Tax Refund?
    What About if I work during the Summer?

Tax Refunds for Expenses

  • Business Mileage Tax Refunds includes:
    What is Business Mileage?
    What counts as a Temporary Workplace?
    What are the Business Mileage Rate Allowances?
    Travel Expenses – Can I claim any further Tax Relief?

  • Travel Expenses Tax Refunds includes:
    When can I claim tax relief (business mileage) for travel to a temporary workplace?
    When can I claim tax relief (business mileage) for travelling to work in different locations?
    If I use public transport can I claim tax relief for a travel card?
    When can I claim tax relief for Subsistence and accommodation?
    Do I need to use the cheapest transport or accommodation to claim tax relief?
    Travel Expenses – How much can I claim?

  • Subsistence Expenses Tax Refunds includes:
    What Is Subsistence?
    What Is A Temporary Workplace?
    Do I Need Records?
    My Employer Reimburses Me Can I Still Claim?

  • Tools for Work Use Tax Refunds includes:
    Tools Tax – When am I Eligible for Tax Relief on Tools, Equipment and Specialist Clothing?
    Tools Tax – What are Flat Rate Expenses?
    Tax relief for tools – What are Capital Allowances?
    What About Tax Relief for Specialist Clothing?

Tax Refunds for Tax Code

Tax Refunds for Left The UK

  • Left or Leaving the UK Tax Claim Refunds includes:
    When am I entitled to leaving the UK tax back?
    How much UK tax back can I receive?
    Do I need to complete Tax Claim Forms when leaving the UK?
    Do I need to complete a Self Assessment Tax Return?

  • UK Non Resident Tax Refunds includes:
    What is Non-Resident Status?
    What is a Double Taxation Agreement?
    What sort of UK Income is eligible for tax relief?
    How do I apply for UK Non-Resident Tax Relief?
    Do I need to Complete a Self Assessment Form?

  • UK Non Resident Landlords Tax Refunds includes:
    What is the UK Non Resident Landlord Scheme?
    What if the property is administered by Letting Agents?
    Can I claim Tax Relief for Property Expenses?
    How does the Non Resident Landlord Scheme affect my Tax payments?
    Do I need to complete a Self Assessment Tax Return?
    How does other income affect my tax allowance?

  • Seafarers Tax Refund includes:
    What is Seafarers’ Earnings Deduction?
    Who can claim SED?
    What information do I need?
    How do I claim?

CIS Tax Refunds

  • CIS Tax Refunds includes:
    What is a CIS Tax Refund?
    How do I get a CIS Tax Refund?
    What is the average CIS Tax Refund?
    Should I fill in my Tax Return myself or use an Accountant?
    CIS Tax Refunds – important to know

Other Tax Refunds

  • Car Tax Refund includes:
    Can I get a refund on my Car Tax/Vehicle Tax?

  • Council Tax Rebate includes:
    Can I claim a Council Tax rebate?

  • Gift Aid includes:
    What is Gift Aid?
    What kind of Donations Apply to Gift Aid?
    Gift Aid Claim Tax Refund!
    How Do I make a Gift Aid Claim?

  • NI Refund includes:
    For the Employed
    Missing National Insurance Years
    National Insurance Refund if you have left the UK
    Class 1 National Insurance and the State Pension Scheme
    National Insurance Refund for the Self Employed

  • VAT Refund includes:
    VAT Refund for Individuals
    VAT Refund if you live in the EU
    VAT Refund if you live outside the EU
    VAT Refund if you work or study in the UK but live outside the EU
    VAT Refund for Business

More Info

Tax Refunds
Claim your Police Officer tax rebate