Business Mileage for the Employed

Depending on the kind of work you do, you may be able to claim tax relief if you use your own vehicle for work purposes. This is sometimes called business mileage. Tax relief for business mileage is available for a number of professions, including tradespeople, sales people and workers in the health industry.

On this page you will find information about:

What is Business Mileage?

Business mileage is the distance you travel in your own vehicle when you are doing your job.

  • This may include travelling to a single temporary workplace, or to various different places.

  • You cannot claim business mileage for ordinary commuting to a single permanent place of work.

  • You can backdate your claim for business mileage for up to four tax years.

What counts as a temporary workplace?

When calculating eligibility for tax relief, HMRC usually define a temporary workplace as somewhere where you work for a single period of 2 years or less, or which is expected to last less than 2 years e.g. a construction site.

If you are eligible for business mileage tax relief, you may also be able to claim for travel between different work sites (such as different clinics or schools) or travel between clients’ homes or places of work.

What are the business mileage rate allowances?

The business mileage rate is set by HMRC. In 2011-12 tax year this is 0.45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles and 0.25p per mile thereafter. You can backdate a claim for business mileage for up to four tax years, although the rate set is different for previous years. For example, for the tax year 2010-11 the business mileage rate is 0.40p per mile for the first 10,000 miles and 0.25p per mile thereafter.

If you receive an allowance for mileage from your employer, but this allowance is less than the business mileage rate set by HMRC, you can make a business mileage claim for the difference. If the mileage rate paid by your employer is taxed, you can also make a business mileage tax rebate claim for this.

Full details of locations visited and records of mileage travelled should be provided in support of a business mileage claim. However, if you did not keep these records you may still be awarded tax relief but further information will need to be provided.

Travel Expenses – Can I claim any further tax relief?

If you are employed at a temporary workplace, you can usually claim tax relief for travel expenses for using public transport to travel to work, and for certain costs of living including accommodation and food.

You may also be eligible for tax relief for equipment, tools and specialist clothing that you buy for work purposes, if you have paid for these yourself.

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

  • Police Tax Refunds includes:
    Police Officers Tax Relief for the Cost Of Laundering Uniform
    Police Tax Relief for the cost of Police Federation Fees
    Police Tax Relief for Business use of own car or public transport for work purposes

  • 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

  • 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

For more information please see: