I work as a bus mechanic, I have every receipt for every tool I have ever bought, I’ve heard I can claim some tax back, does anyone know how I can do this?

Cheers

P87d form IIRC

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/income-tax-tax-relief-for-expenses-of-employment-p87

I think you can You can only claim back for four years though

You’ll be very lucky if your claim is allowed.
The question is: are these tools essential for you to carry out your work?
In other words, would every other bus mechanic also need them?

The fact that your employer does not provide these tools suggests that the answer is no.

But give it a try, maybe you will be lucky!
(Ex HM Inspector of Taxes)

Regarding essential, well I’d think a set of spanners and sockets, screwdrivers are about as essential as it gets right… work only provide specialist tools such as a specific hub nut socket for a Volvo hubs for example.

I assume I would fill in a separate form for each tax year in which the tools were purchased?

Very few mechanics get their tools provided Esme.

Surely the tax office knows this

You’ll be very lucky if your claim is allowed.
The question is: are these tools essential for you to carry out your work?
In other words, would every other bus mechanic also need them?

The ones that can undo wheel nuts with their bare hands are pretty rare I would have thought 😆

“Surely the tax office knows this“
HMRC know nothing about the real world – ask any accountant.

So, absolutely no tools are normally provided? It’s not simply a matter of you preferring particular ones?

In that case your answer is yes, so good luck with your claim!
(And if it’s initially rejected, then present your counter arguments)

So, absolutely no tools are normally provided? It’s not simply a matter of you preferring particular ones?

Using cabinet making as an example: industrial tools such as speed sanders, presses, lathes and panel saws (and so on) and some small power tools will be provided and maintained by the company. Most power tools (routers, drills, screwdrivers, etc) and all hand tools are almost without exception purchased by employees. I’d expect many mechanics/fitters to be largely similar.

Is it worth the pain of doing a self-assessment every year?

If you were to put together all the tools a mechanic has to buy it’s easy to get up way past 4grand. Some will pay that just for the box they keep them in.
I’d say it’s worth filling a form out to get some of that tax back.

On a sidenote if your employer requires you to wear a uniform and they supply the uniform which you have to wash at home, you can also claim back the cost of washing the uniform.

Although I think you can only claim backdate about 4 years worth?

Is it worth the pain of doing a self-assessment every year?

No need, you can just write a letter making a specific claim and they’ll do the paper work (I do this every year for pension and charity tax rebates).