If you’re an employee in the UK and have paid out-of-pocket for certain work-related expenses, you might be entitled to claim Income Tax relief from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
Many workers — including Nigerians in the UK — miss out on valuable tax refunds simply because tax relief is not automatic. You must actively make a claim to HMRC.
Good news for immigrants:
💡 You can claim job-related tax relief even if you are an immigrant on a visa — because Income Tax relief is not classed as public funds and does not affect your immigration status or visa conditions.
What Is Income Tax Relief?
Income Tax relief reduces the amount of tax you pay based on job-related expenses you have personally incurred — meaning your employer didn’t reimburse you for them.
To qualify:
✔ You must be a UK taxpayer
✔ You must have paid the expense yourself
✔ The expense must be incurred “wholly, exclusively and necessarily” for your job
✔ You must be able to provide evidence (receipts, logs, invoices, etc.)
✔ You must submit your claim within 4 years of the end of the tax year
All claims can be submitted online, by post, or by phone. The easiest way is online via your Government Gateway login.
If you cannot claim online, you must use Form P87 — HMRC will not accept a simple letter.
👉 Download the official P87 form here (fillable PDF):
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65c3605a3f634b000d42c5f3/P87_fillable_English_baselined.pdf
Claim Deadline and Limits
- You have 4 years from the end of the tax year to claim
- For example, you can still claim for 2021/22 until 5 April 2026
- If your total claim exceeds £2,500 per tax year, you must complete a Self Assessment return instead
Common Work-Related Expenses You Can Claim
✔ Professional Subscriptions
If your job requires membership of a professional body or union, you can usually claim the cost.
Examples include memberships for:
- Nurses and midwives
- Engineers
- Teachers
- Accountants
Tip: Only claim subscriptions directly relevant to your current job.
✔ Mileage Allowance
If you use your own vehicle for work (excluding normal commuting):
- 45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles
- 25p per mile after that
If your employer pays less than the HMRC rate, you can claim the difference.
Example:
Employer pays 30p/mile → you can claim 15p/mile from HMRC.
✔ Hotel and Meal Expenses
When your job requires overnight travel, you may claim:
- Hotel costs
- Reasonable meal expenses
Always keep receipts and note the dates and purpose of the trip.
✔ Working From Home Expenses
If you regularly work from home (not just occasionally):
You can claim either:
- A flat rate: £6 per week (£312 per year)
OR - Actual costs for the work-related portion of your household bills (with evidence)
This is only if your employer does not already reimburse you.
✔ Uniform and Work Clothing
If you are required to wear a mandatory and recognisable uniform and you pay to maintain it (wash, repair, replace), you may claim tax relief.
This does not include ordinary clothing (e.g., suits or smart business wear), even if required by your employer.
Typical qualifying roles include:
- Nurses and carers
- Mechanics
- Construction workers
- Security staff
✔ Other Job-Related Expenses
You may also be able to claim:
- Tools and equipment needed for your job
- Travel costs for temporary assignments
- Specialist software or equipment
- Business phone calls made from your personal phone
All claims must be reasonable, necessary for work, and not reimbursed by your employer.
What Happens After You Submit a Claim?
Once HMRC processes your claim, they will either:
✅ Adjust your tax code so you pay less tax going forward
OR
✅ Send a tax refund via bank transfer or cheque
Most claims are processed within 8–12 weeks.
Final Thoughts
Many employees miss the chance to claim tax relief because they don’t realise they must submit a claim — even if they’ve been paying for work costs for years.
Whether it’s mileage, uniforms, subscriptions, hotel travel, working from home, or tools — reviewing your situation and submitting a claim could put extra money in your pocket.
And as a Nigerian in the UK, remember:
📌 Income Tax relief is not public funds — so claiming it won’t affect your immigration status or visa eligibility.
For more practical UK money, immigration, and career guidance specifically for Nigerians in the UK, stay tuned to Naija UK Connect.
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