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Tax relief for nurses: you may be eligible to claim for washing uniforms

Survey finds many staff do not know about tax rebate of £125 a year – a welcome saving in the light of impending energy price rises

Survey finds many staff do not know about tax rebate of £125 a year – a welcome saving in the light of impending energy price rises

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More than a quarter of nurses and other healthcare staff who took part in a survey were unaware they could claim tax relief if they wash their uniforms at home.

Of those who were aware of the tax rebate, less than half said they had submitted a claim to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

‘It only takes a few minutes to start a tax-relief claim’

The survey findings have prompted calls for nurses to take advantage of money-saving schemes.

RCN welfare adviser Ian King said: ‘The rising cost of living is taking a toll on nursing staff, so there is no better time to check if you’re eligible to claim for tax relief on uniform expenses.

‘It only takes a few minutes to start a claim. More nursing staff need to know about these schemes, especially when fuel and energy prices are expected to rise.’

Many nurses say they lack time to apply for tax relief

The survey of 1,277 healthcare workers by De Montfort University and University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust found that 27% were unaware they could claim tax relief for washing their uniforms at home. Of those who did know about the scheme, just 42% said they had submitted a claim to HMRC.

Many respondents said they were aware of the tax-saving option but did not have enough time to apply for it.

One respondent said: ‘The tax rebate for washing uniforms does not cover the cost of the washing. I live in key worker accommodation and the cost of the laundry, just for uniforms, is over £40 per month.’

Criteria for making a claim

Tax relief on washing uniforms at home is only available if employers do not provide laundering facilities at work. It is not available for nurses who do not wear scrubs or uniforms at work.

Nurses can claim for a deduction of £125 a year from their tax bill, but rates may change – see the HMRC website for more details.

According to analysis by Nursing Standard, nurses are already up to £3,600 a year worse off on average than they were a decade ago in real terms. This is likely be exacerbated in April when domestic energy bills are expected to rise by an average of almost £700.


Check if you can claim for tax relief


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