Are you a police dog handler?
Do you know that you are entitled to tax relief for some of your expenses?
With around 250 dogs in the Metropolitan Police Service Dog Support Unit alone, there is a lot of unclaimed tax waiting to be claimed!
Tax rebates for Police Dog handlers only
As the human in the partnership, you have the extra responsibility of your dog’s well-being. In acknowledgement of this, HMRC allow for some tax relief for the cost of travelling between your home and permanent place of work with the dog.
The following requirements must be met;
- You live in police authority premises or in approved private housing.
- You have full responsibility for exercising, feeding and grooming and receive a grooming allowance to cover this expense.
- You have total responsibility for controlling the dog’s behaviour when you are off duty, as well as on the job.
- It is a requirement of your job that the dog lives in your home or in a nearby kennel and you are given any equipment you need.
Not only can you claim for commuting costs, but if you satisfy all of these criteria then you can also claim the travel costs from your home to the nearest place you can exercise your dog.
Tax rebates for all Police Officers
There are other tax reliefs which apply to all police officers;
- Your subscription fees to the Police Federation.
- Laundering your police uniform – this is a flat rate worth £140.00 per year.
- Any work travel undertaken in your own private vehicle between different locations. As long as this has not already been reimbursed by your employer.
Police Tax Facts
- You can backdate an initial claim for 4 years.
- Your tax code will change to incorporate tax savings in the future.
- This tax overspend cannot be automatically refunded by HMRC – you have to make an official claim.
- Communications between you and HMRC are private and do not involve your employer.
Tony Shanks