Summer holidays – a time for Teachers to take a break and finally get
around to doing all those little jobs that they just can’t fit in during term time. Like, for example, claiming a tax rebate from HMRC on
your fees and subscriptions or for sports clothing for PE.
Many Teachers are not aware that such refunds are due to
them. There are many companies who will
charge you a fee and percentage to take care of this for you (please double check the Terms and Conditions if you want to use one - they could keep much more than you had bargained for) but applying for your own refund for the price of a stamp is perfectly possible!
If you can answer yes to these questions, you could be due a
tax rebate:
- Have you paid union fees or fees to a professional body (including the GTC) in the last 4 years? Please check against the list of the qualifying bodies here: www.hmrc.gov.uk/list3/index.htm
- Does your work require you to wear specific items of clothing for which you are required to wash and maintain such as:
·
Sports clothes for the teaching or
supervising of P.E.
·
Laboratory Coat
·
Protective Clothing
·
A uniform with your Employer’s logo
How
do I Claim?
Claims can be made going back 4 years and you may also be
entitled to an increase in your personal tax allowance for the current tax
year so that you pay less tax. I have put together a letter template which you can add your own details to.
Please complete as instructed, pop it in the post to HMRC and await a
reply (hopefully with a cheque!).
All it
will cost you is the stamp and any money you receive is all yours to keep!
If
only the clothing aspect applies to you, please see:
What
Next?
Please be patient.
HMRC can take up to 3 months to process the rebates. If you have not heard anything from them
after that time, you can contact them on the Employee Helpline number: 0300 200 3300
If you do send a letter off, please do let me know how you
get on by leaving a comment below. Good
luck!
© Pennies 4 Parents July 2015
