HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding employed workers they can claim a refund on work-related expenses directly through gov.uk. More than 800,000 taxpayers claimed refunds for work expenses during the 2021 to 2022 tax year, but while the average claim was £125, over 70% of claimants missed out on getting the full amount they were due because they used an agent to make their claim instead of claiming directly with HMRC.
It is quick and easy to claim a tax refund directly through HMRC’s online portal on gov.uk, and the only way to guarantee receiving 100% of the repayment – with no small print and no middlemen taking a cut.
Submitting a claim through HMRC’s online portal is straightforward and takes about fifteen minutes. Customers can use the handy online tool to check eligibility and a full list of work expenses they can claim including:
Uniforms and work clothing
Buying work-related equipment
Professional fees, union memberships, and subscriptions
Using their own vehicle for work travel
(excluding journey from home to work).
Customers who already have a Government Gateway account can follow the step-by-step guidance to submit their claim. Those who need to set an account up can do so quickly and easily via gov.uk
For customers who are considering using a repayment agent, HMRC is reminding them to be aware that an agent always charges for services – in some cases up to 50% of the value of the claim. And,while initially it may seem simpler, customers will need to supply the agent with the same information they could use to make the claim themselves using HMRC’s free online portal.
It is important customers understand what they are signing up to. Before signing a contract with a repayment agent, they should research the company and always check the small print to ensure they understand what commission is being charged and how much of their tax refund they are likely to receive back.
Customers can find out more about how to make a work-related expense claim and what type of expense they can claim at gov.uk