Can I claim a tool tax rebate and uniform rebate at the same time?

Yes, you can claim a tool tax rebate and a uniform rebate all at the same time.

Loads of mechanics, auto technicians and other trades people aren’t aware that they can claim for the cost of replacing protective clothing and laundering their work uniforms.

HMRC would prefer that everything is included in one submission for a particular time period so it’s a good idea to include both tools and uniform in the same claim. Or as part of the self assessment process, if you need to complete a tax return.

Uniform tax eligibility

When it comes to uniforms, HMRC are very specific about what they mean by this. A work uniform is something that you have to wear as part of your contract, other people would recognise it as a uniform and you buy it yourself.

“A uniform in this context means a set of clothing of a specialised nature that is recognisable as a uniform and is intended to identify its wearer as having a particular occupation.” (EIM 32475)

It is up to you to prove that your work clothes fit this definition of a work uniform.

This is an easy thing to prove for taxpayers like a police officer or nurse, but does get slightly trickier for mechanics, auto technicians and other trades people. It is definitely considered a work uniform if it is branded with the company logo and is sometimes considered allowable if you have a “permanent and conspicuous badge” on it.

If you’ve just been asked to wear all black and put on a detachable badge, none of the clothes you bought are considered uniform for the purposes of this tax rebate. This is because they are deemed ordinary clothing that can be worn outside work.

The good news is that there is a flat rate allowance for washing your work uniform and protective clothing that is worth £60 per tax year.

It doesn’t apply if your employer provides laundry facilities or if they already reimburse you for this cost.