What Expenses Can I Claim on My Tax Return? A Complete UK Guide for 2026
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Every year, thousands of people miss out on money they're legally entitled to simply because they don't know what they can claim.

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In this guide, we'll explain the most common allowable expenses, who can claim them, and how Go Tax Refunds can help ensure you receive everything you're entitled to.

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What Are Allowable Expenses?
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Allowable expenses are costs you've had to pay yourself because they were necessary for your work and weren't reimbursed by your employer or client. In many cases, you can claim tax relief, reducing the amount of tax you pay or increasing your tax refund.

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Mileage Expenses

If you use your own vehicle for work, you may be able to claim Mileage Allowance Relief if your employer pays less than HMRC's approved mileage rates, or nothing at all.
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This commonly applies to:
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• Healthcare workers
• Domiciliary care workers
• Construction workers
• Engineers
• Sales representatives
• Surveyors
• Utility workers

If you regularly travel between temporary workplaces, client sites or customer homes, you could be entitled to a significant refund.

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Public Transport
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If you travel for work using trains, buses, coaches or the London Underground and pay the cost yourself, you may be able to claim tax relief, provided the journey is for business purposes and isn't ordinary commuting.
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Keeping receipts or bank statements makes supporting your claim much easier.

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Hotel and Accommodation Costs
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If your work requires you to stay away from home overnight, hotel accommodation may qualify for tax relief.

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Examples include:
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• Working on projects away from home
• Temporary assignments
• Business travel requiring overnight stays

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Meals While Working Away
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If you're travelling to a temporary workplace or staying away overnight for work, you may also be able to claim tax relief on reasonable meal expenses.

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Keep receipts wherever possible, as HMRC may request evidence.

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Uniforms and Protective Clothing
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Many workers are entitled to claim tax relief for cleaning, repairing or replacing specialist work clothing or uniforms.

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Examples include:

• High visibility clothing
• Protective boots
• Safety equipment
• Branded uniforms
• Healthcare uniforms

Even if your employer provides the uniform, you may still qualify to claim the cost of washing and maintaining it.

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Professional Memberships
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Membership fees paid to approved professional bodies can often be claimed.

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Examples include professional associations and industry bodies recognised by HMRC.
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Tools and Equipment
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If you've purchased tools or equipment that are essential for your work and haven't been reimbursed, you may be able to claim tax relief.

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This commonly applies to construction workers, tradespeople and engineers.

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Working From Home

Some employees who are required to work from home may qualify for tax relief on certain additional household costs, depending on their circumstances.

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Self Assessment Expenses‍
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If you're self-employed or complete a Self Assessment tax return, a wider range of business expenses may be deductible, including:

• Office costs
• Phone and internet
• Business insurance
• Advertising and marketing
• Professional fees
• Vehicle expenses
• Equipment purchases
• Training related to your business

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Common Mistakes That Cost People Money
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Many people wrongly assume they can't claim because:

• They don't keep every receipt.
• They travel to different workplaces.
• They're employed rather than self-employed.
• Their employer pays some expenses.
• They've never claimed before.

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In many cases, you may still qualify.

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How Far Back Can You Claim?
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Depending on your circumstances, HMRC generally allows tax relief claims for previous tax years, meaning you could receive a larger refund than expected.
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Why Use Go Tax Refunds?

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Tax rules can be confusing, and many people don't realise what they're entitled to claim.

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At Go Tax Refunds, we specialise in maximising legitimate tax refunds while ensuring every claim is fully compliant with HMRC rules.

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We'll review your circumstances, identify every allowable expense you're entitled to and manage the entire process from start to finish.

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Start Your Free Eligibility Check Today
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Whether you're a PAYE employee, CIS subcontractor or complete a Self Assessment tax return, our team is here to help.

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No Refund? No Fee.‍

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