If you’re employed and your tax is taken through PAYE, it’s easy to assume there’s nothing you can do about it. But there are several reliefs HMRC won’t give you unless you ask, and many can be backdated for up to four years.
This is general information, not tax advice. Check GOV.UK for the full eligibility rules.
1. Marriage Allowance
If you’re married or in a civil partnership, and one of you earns less than the £12,570 Personal Allowance while the other is a basic-rate taxpayer, the lower earner can transfer £1,260 of their Personal Allowance to their partner.
- Worth: up to £252 a year in tax saved
- Backdate: up to four years, if you were eligible
- How: apply on GOV.UK, which takes about 10 minutes
It’s especially useful when one partner is on parental leave, works part-time or has stopped working.
2. Uniforms, work clothing and tools
If you wear a uniform or protective clothing for work and you wash, repair or replace it yourself, you can claim tax relief. The same goes for tools you have to buy.
- How much: many jobs have a flat-rate expense set by HMRC, so you don’t need receipts. Nurses, police officers, mechanics and many trades each have their own rate.
- Backdate: up to four years
- Doesn’t count: everyday clothing you could wear outside work, even if you only wear it for work
3. Professional fees and subscriptions
If you pay for membership of a professional body that’s relevant to your job, and it’s on HMRC’s approved list, you can claim tax relief on the fee. Nurses, accountants, engineers, teachers and many others pay professional or union fees that may qualify.
- Check: HMRC publishes the list of approved professional organisations (often called “List 3”)
- Doesn’t count: fees your employer pays for you
4. Mileage in your own car
If you use your own car for work journeys (not your regular commute), HMRC sets approved mileage rates: 45p per mile for the first 10,000 business miles a year, then 25p per mile.
If your employer pays you less than that, you can claim tax relief on the difference. For example, if you drive 3,000 business miles and your employer pays 25p a mile, the gap is 20p a mile, or £600, and you get tax relief on that £600.
5. Higher-rate relief on pensions and Gift Aid
If you pay 40% or 45% tax, two reliefs are often missed:
- Pensions: if your pension uses “relief at source” (common with SIPPs and personal pensions), you must claim the extra 20% or 25% yourself. Read how to claim higher-rate pension tax relief.
- Gift Aid: when you Gift Aid a donation, the charity claims basic-rate tax. Higher-rate taxpayers can claim the difference back through Self Assessment or by contacting HMRC.
What about working from home?
The flat-rate working from home relief for employees was abolished from 6 April 2026, even if your employer requires you to work from home. Two things are still worth knowing: you may be able to backdate claims for earlier eligible years, and your employer can still pay you up to £6 a week tax-free if they choose to.
Good to know: Check your tax code every year in your HMRC online account or app. A wrong code is one of the most common reasons employees overpay tax, and it’s easy to fix.
How to claim
- Log in to your HMRC online account or the HMRC app.
- Check your tax code and the employment details HMRC holds.
- Claim Marriage Allowance on GOV.UK, and employment expenses through the online P87 process (or on your Self Assessment return if you file one).
- Keep records of what you’ve claimed and why.
The short version
As a PAYE employee, check five reliefs: Marriage Allowance (up to £252 a year), uniforms and tools, professional fees, mileage in your own car, and higher-rate relief on pensions and Gift Aid. Most can be backdated four years and claimed free through your HMRC online account. Working from home relief ended in April 2026, but earlier years may still be claimable.
Common questions
Can I still claim working from home tax relief?
Not for 2026/27 onwards. The flat-rate employee relief was abolished from 6 April 2026. You may still be able to backdate a claim for earlier eligible years, and your employer can still choose to pay you up to £6 a week tax-free.
How do I claim these reliefs?
Most can be claimed through your HMRC online account or, for employment expenses, the P87 process. If you already complete a Self Assessment tax return, include them there. HMRC usually gives relief by changing your tax code or sending a refund.
Should I use a company that claims tax refunds for me?
You don't need to. You can claim directly from HMRC for free. Claim companies often take a large percentage of your refund.
How far back can I claim?
Usually four tax years. Marriage Allowance can also be backdated for up to four years if you were eligible.
This article is general information, not personal financial advice. Your situation is your own, so check the details for yourself or speak to a regulated adviser before making big decisions. Where investments are mentioned, their value can go down as well as up.
