Uniform tax relief: claim back the cost of washing your work clothes
If you've ever had to wash, repair or replace a uniform or protective clothing for work, out of your own pocket, HMRC may owe you tax relief for it — and you can usually backdate the claim by four years.
Who's eligible
You can claim if all of the following apply:
- You wear a recognisable uniform, branded workwear, or specialist protective clothing (like overalls or safety boots) for your job.
- You're required to wear it as part of the job — not just choosing to wear similar clothes.
- You personally pay to clean, repair or replace it — if your employer washes it for you, provides laundry facilities, or reimburses you, you can't claim.
This covers a huge range of jobs: retail and hospitality staff in branded uniforms, tradespeople in protective workwear, healthcare staff, mechanics, and anyone else who's ever chucked a works polo shirt in with their regular wash.
How to check — for free
HMRC publishes a flat-rate expense amount for dozens of specific industries and job titles — for example, nurses and healthcare assistants can claim £125 a year, police officers up to chief inspector £140, uniformed fire fighters £80, and joiners and carpenters £140. If your exact job isn't listed, there's a standard default flat rate of £60 a year that almost anyone with a qualifying uniform can claim.
With a flat-rate claim, you don't need to keep receipts — HMRC has already agreed the amount for your trade. The relief is based on your tax band: a basic-rate (20%) taxpayer claiming the standard £60 gets back £12 a year, while a higher-rate (40%) taxpayer gets back £24 — and the backdated years add up.
How to claim — for free
You claim through the same online service as other job expenses on gov.uk. If you're claiming the agreed flat rate, select "Uniform, work clothing and tools" and no evidence is needed. If you'd rather claim your actual costs (which can be worth more for some jobs), you can submit receipts as "other expenses" instead.
If you fill in a Self Assessment tax return, you claim it there instead of through the online service. You can claim for the current tax year and backdate it for the previous four tax years in one go.
How long it takes
Once your claim is approved, HMRC usually adjusts your tax code going forward and pays out any backdated amount as a lump sum or through your next pay — exact timing depends on your circumstances, but it's typically processed within a few weeks of submitting.
Some firms advertise "guaranteed" uniform tax rebates for a percentage of your refund. The claim itself takes a few minutes directly through gov.uk, costs nothing, and you keep the full amount — there's no extra expertise a paid company is offering that you can't do yourself.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I claim if my employer gives me a laundry allowance?
- No — if your employer already covers the cost, through pay, reimbursement, or on-site laundry facilities, you can't also claim tax relief for it.
- What if I'm not sure which flat rate applies to my job?
- Check the full list on gov.uk's job expenses guidance. If your trade isn't listed by name, you can still claim the standard £60 default rate.
- Can I claim for plain clothes with no logo?
- Generally no — the relief is for recognisable uniforms or specialist protective clothing, not ordinary clothes you'd wear outside work even if you only wear them for your job.
- How far back can I claim?
- You can claim for the current tax year plus the previous four tax years, so it's worth checking even if you changed jobs a while ago.
Information checked against gov.uk guidance. Rules can change — always check the official page linked above for the latest details.