Nurses, Teachers, Police: You're Owed a Uniform Tax Rebate — Most People Never Claim It

If you wear a uniform or specialist clothing to work and are responsible for washing, repairing, or replacing it, you're entitled to claim tax relief — even if your employer provides the uniform itself. This is separate from whether your employer reimburses the cost. HMRC offers industry-specific flat-rate expenses that most workers have never claimed.

Flat Rate Expenses by Profession

Profession	Annual Flat Rate	Tax Saving (20%)	Tax Saving (40%)
NHS nurses & midwives	£185	£37	£74
Ambulance staff	£185	£37	£74
Police officers	£140	£28	£56
Firefighters	£140	£28	£56
Prison officers	£140	£28	£56
Teachers	£60	£12	£24
Construction workers	£140	£28	£56
Airline cabin crew	£720	£144	£288

How to Claim

1. Go to gov.uk/claim-tax-relief-for-your-job-expenses
2. Select "Uniforms, work clothing and tools"
3. Enter your profession and the relevant flat rate
4. HMRC adjusts your tax code automatically, reducing your monthly tax going forward
5. You can also claim back up to 4 years — receive a lump sum refund

What If Your Actual Costs Are Higher?

The flat rates are a simplified option. If you can evidence that your actual washing and maintenance costs exceed the flat rate (keep receipts), you can claim the higher actual figure instead. In practice, the flat rate is simpler and rarely worth the admin for modest differences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim uniform relief and WFH relief together?

Yes — they are separate claims and can be submitted simultaneously. Note that WFH relief for employees is being abolished from April 2026, but uniform relief remains available.

My uniform is provided by my employer. Can I still claim?

Yes — the relief is for maintaining (washing, repairing) the uniform, not for purchasing it. As long as you wear it for work and are responsible for its upkeep, the flat-rate claim applies.

Calculate your uniform tax rebate with our Uniform Tax Relief Calculator.