Teacher Tax Rebate Guide
Teachers often pay for work related costs themselves without reimbursement. To help cover the cost of some work related expenses HMRC allows teachers to claim a tax rebate for essentials like professional fees, specialist clothing, and mileage.
All teacher tax rebate claims can incorporate the previous four tax years with the added benefit of continued tax savings with a new tax code.
HMRC expects teachers to make a claim to recover what they are entitled to by following their teacher tax rebate claims process.
Our teacher tax rebate guide gives you the information you need to see which tax reliefs apply to you and how to recover your money directly from HMRC.
What can you claim a teacher tax rebate for?
We have listed below the most common work related expenses that teachers can be eligible to make a claim for.
Professional fees: you can claim for the subscription fees to many professional bodies, like the NEU and NASUWT. The amounts vary, as each professional organisation has to make its own arrangement with HMRC.
Specialist clothing: for example if you’re contractually obliged to teach or supervise pupils for PE or sports lessons, and have to buy sports kit to perform these duties, you can claim tax relief for this clothing.
Washing of specialist clothing: if you have to wash specialist clothing, and any uniform that includes your employer’s logo, you can claim an annual allowance worth £60 per tax year.
Cost of Books: mainly for teachers of A level courses and above if the books are specifically used in the performance of class related duties which includes the preparation of lectures.
Using your own car: you can’t claim for commuting to one permanent place of employment but you may be able to make a claim for other business mileage.
For example, you may be a peripatetic teacher who needs to travel to different schools within the community.
Using your own home: you can currently claim from £6 per month (without receipts) if you have to use your home for work.
HMRC are very strict on who can qualify and in many cases teachers will not be eligible for the WFH allowance which, is meant to cover costs like gas and electricity, not rent or mortgage payments.
Who is eligible for a teacher tax rebate?
- All primary and secondary school teachers.
- Lecturers.
- Higher Educational Professionals.
- Teaching assistants.
This list is not exhaustive so it’s always worth checking if you are eligible.
How to claim your teacher tax rebate
To claim your teacher tax rebate you should send your claim directly to HMRC (the tax office).
You can easily start the process online and HMRC has phone and online support if you need to talk to someone.
For most teachers completing HMRC’s online claim form is the quickest and easiest way to submit your claim.
The system let’s you claim for multiple tax years (up to the last four) so you can backdate a claim using the same form which is conveinient.
A postal version of the claim form is available called a P87 which can be used by downloading it from HMRC’s website.
When completing a P87 or the online version you should enter your bank details if you would prefer a bank transfer.
Teachers who complete a self assessment tax return should not complete a P87 and instead enter all of their claim on their tax return in the relevant employment section(s).
Evidence for teacher tax rebate claims
Depending on the type of expense you are claiming for teachers may need some receipts or records, but it’s not a lost cause if they’ve already been recycled.
If HMRC ever ask for evidence you can potentially use bank or credit card statements as evidence to back up your claim instead.
More information on work related expenses can be found by using our free income tax and tax rebate guides.
You should maintain comprehensive records to support your claim, including:
- Receipts and invoices for all expenses claimed.
- Proof of professional membership payments (NASUWT, NEU etc).
- Employment contract showing your role and responsibilities.
- Bank statements confirming payments if actual invoices are unavailable.
As part of the process you will typcially need to submit all documentation with your initial claim,
HMRC requests evidence so keep all records. Digital copies are acceptable as long as they clearly show all relevant details.
What if I don’t have all the required documentation?
If you’re missing some documentation, you may still be able to make a claim, but it could be more challenging. Here’s what you can do:
- Gather alternative evidence such as bank statements, credit card statements, or email confirmations
- Contact the relevant organisations (like professional bodies) for duplicate receipts or statements
- Provide a detailed explanation of why original documentation is unavailable
- For regular expenses (like monthly subscriptions), provide evidence of the arrangement and some payment proofs
HMRC may accept claims with incomplete documentation on a case-by-case basis, particularly for smaller amounts or where the expense is clearly work-related.
After receipt of your claim HMRC will give you a response in a timescale of about 8-12 weeks.
What happens after my teacher tax rebate claim is made?
HMRC will post you a P800 tax calculation letter for each tax year of your claim detailling any income tax rebate due to you.
The employment related expenses HMRC has allowed from your claim will also show on the P800 so you can check them for accuracy.
Finally your P800 notifies you how you will receive any money you are owed back for example by bank transfer or cheque.
If you find any issues when checking your P800 you can call HMRC on the phone number provided on the form.
Saving you money with a new tax code
After your teacher tax rebate claim is completed you should receive a new tax code which will increase your tax free personal allowance.
HMRC will usually issue a new tax code to both you are your employer after a successful teacher tax rebate claim.
It is worth checking your tax code is accurate and reflects all of your allowances and reliefs are included correctly.
This will mean you will pay less income tax moving forward unless your circumstances change and stop paying for some or all of the work related expenses you have previously claimed.
Will making a teacher tax rebate claim affect anything else?
Making a claim for tax relief on your work related expenses should not affect any other payments you receive from the government, like child benefit.
Your employer is not involved in the process at all, as all correspondence is strictly between you as an individual and the tax office.
What are the most common mistakes teachers should avoid?
Several common mistakes can delay or invalidate your claim:
- Missing the four-year deadline for backdated claims.
- Claiming for ineligible expenses (like regular clothing or home-to-work travel).
- Insufficient documentation to support claims.
- Claiming for expenses already reimbursed by your school.
- Not updating your address with HMRC, resulting in correspondence issues.
- Overestimating the proportion of dual-use items used for work.
Avoid these pitfalls by thoroughly researching eligibility criteria, maintaining detailed records, and submitting claims directly through official HMRC channels whenever possible.
Teacher Tax Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim for previous years?
Yes, you can backdate claims for up to four previous tax years.
Do I need receipts for all my claims?
For flat-rate expenses, receipts aren’t usually required, but it’s good practice to keep them. For specific expenses like union and professional fees, books or courses receipts are important to keep as evidence.
Will claiming affect my tax code?
For ongoing expenses like union membership, HMRC may adjust your tax code so you receive relief automatically in the future.
What if my circumstances change during the tax year?
If your circumstances change (e.g., you change jobs or stop paying membership fees), you should inform HMRC to ensure your tax relief is calculated correctly.
Can I claim if I work part-time?
Yes, part-time teachers can claim tax relief on eligible expenses, including full union and professional body membership fees.
How will I receive my rebate?
HMRC typically pays rebates directly to your bank account or adjusts your tax code to reduce your tax payments.
