Police Officer Uniform Tax Refund Guide
If you serve in the police force and wear a uniform you should qualify for a police uniform tax refund.
Whether you’re a frontline police officer eligible for the standard £140 annual rebate or support staff qualifying for £60, these tax reliefs represent real money back in your pocket.
This practical guide explains how to claim what’s rightfully yours, whether through automatic payroll adjustments or direct application to HMRC.
We also cover additional claims many officers miss, including police federation subscriptions and vehicle expenses.
With step-by-step instructions and expert insights, you’ll navigate the claim process with confidence and ensure you receive every penny you deserve.
What tax rebates are police officers eligible to claim?
Police officers are eligible for several tax rebates, including:
- Flat rate expense allowance for uniform maintenance and cleaning (£140 per tax year).
- Tax relief on Police Federation subscriptions.
- Work-related expenses not reimbursed by your employer.
- Professional fees and subscriptions to approved organisations.
How much can I get back?
You can claim back the cost of laundering your uniform for the past four tax years.
The standard police officer uniform tax rebate set by HMRC is £140 a year. Other police force employees who are responsible for cleaning their own uniforms can get £60 each year.
Once you’ve made a claim your tax code will change, so you’ll continue to save tax in future years while you’re still paying subscriptions.
Can I claim tax relief if I purchase my own equipment for work?
Yes. If you’ve purchased essential equipment for your police duties that hasn’t been reimbursed by your employer, you may be eligible to claim tax relief on these expenses.
This could include items such as torches, notebooks, or other specialised equipment needed for your role.
Am I eligible if I work part-time or as a special constable?
Yes. Part-time officers and special constables are entitled to the same flat rate expense allowance as full-time officers. The allowance is not pro-rated based on working hours.
How do I claim the police uniforms tax refund?
For your first police uniform claim you can choose between an online or postal claim form.
If you have any other work related expenses like police federation fees you can include them on the same claim form.
To claim the £140 flat rate expense allowance for uniformed police officers:
- Visit the GOV.UK website and search for “claim tax relief for uniforms”
- Use the online service to check your eligibility and make your claim
- Sign in or create a Government Gateway account
- Follow the step-by-step process to complete your claim online.
If you prefer, you can also claim by post by completing a P87 form which you can download from .GOV.
You can also call HMRC if you have claimed before or have any questions relating to the process.
If you file a self-assessment tax return, you should incorporate your claim within the employment portion of your return rather than submitting a separate claim form.
How long does it take to receive a tax rebate once claimed?
Police officer claims will usually take up to around twelve weeks to complete in full. The timeframes can be longer during peak tax periods.
What happens after I have submitted my police tax claim?
Once you’ve submitted your claim, HMRC will review it and let you know the outcome.
Watch for a P800 tax calculation in your post which will explain how HMRC calculated any tax refunds owed.
You can monitor the status of your claim through your personal tax account or by using the HMRC mobile app.
For police officer claims, HMRC usually processes tax rebates by sending them to the bank account listed on your claim form or via cheque.
Will my tax code change after claiming?
Yes, for ongoing claims. After processing your first claim, HMRC will usually adjust your tax code for future years (and tell your force) so that you automatically receive the tax relief through your salary, rather than having to claim again.
You can use our tax code guide to learn more about tax codes and how to check them.
Is it worth claiming if I only joined the force recently?
Yes. Even if you’ve only been serving for part of a tax year, you’re still entitled to claim the full flat rate allowance for that year.
New police officers should make claims as soon as they’re eligible to avoid missing the four year deadline.
I’ve been claiming for several years – do I need to reapply annually?
Once you’ve made an initial claim for the police uniform allowance, HMRC will usually adjust your tax code to include the relief automatically in future years.
You can use the HMRC app or personal tax account service to check your code still includes the police uniform allowance and any other job expenses.
If your circumstances change, you should inform HMRC to ensure you continue to receive the correct relief.
If my employer provides a uniform allowance, can I still claim?
If your employer already provides an allowance that covers the full cost of maintaining your uniform, you cannot claim additional tax relief.
However, if the allowance only partially covers these costs, you may be eligible to claim the difference up to the flat rate amount.
Can retired officers claim for previous years of service?
Yes. If you’ve retired from the police service within the last four years, you can still claim tax relief for those years of service. The standard four-year look-back period applies.
Are you a police dog handler?
If you are a police dog handler and your dog lives with you at home and you use your own car to transport your dog to work, you can potentially claim a mileage allowance for travelling to and from work.
In a similar way you can claim a mileage allowance for travel to the nearest suitable place to exercise your dog.
Our guide for police dog handlers goes into more depth on what tax relief could be available.
Tax rebates and continued savings
As a police officer or staff member, understanding your entitlement to uniform tax rebates is not just about financial knowledge – it’s about claiming what you rightfully deserve.
These savings add up significantly when claimed for the full four-year backdated period and continue to cut your tax bill in the future.
Remember that additional claims for police federation subscriptions and mileage allowances can further enhance your tax relief.
HMRC has streamlined the claiming process, making it straightforward to receive what you’re due.
Don’t leave your hard-earned money unclaimed – take action today by contacting HMRC through their online portal, by post, or by phone.
