Claiming work-related expenses as an employee should be simple. You’d think it would be a case of filling in a quick online form, clicking submit, and waiting for the money to arrive in your bank account.
But this is HMRC we’re talking about!
So instead, what we get is a “modern” solution that still relies on good old-fashioned paper and post.
Despite digitising the P87 expenses claim form, HMRC still insists you print it out, sign it, and send it via post.
Yes, that’s right. The tax office has taken one step forward and two steps back in its digital journey. Maybe by next Christmas, we’ll get the “submit it online” option? Who knows…
Still, this is progress of sorts, and if you’re an employee who incurs work-related expenses, this is a process worth knowing about. Here are the most important bits.
What is the P87 form?
The P87 form is what you need to fill out to claim tax relief on work-related expenses. Previously, your only options were writing to HMRC or filling in a paper form, but now you can complete the form online – before printing it out and posting it, of course.
If you’re feeling brave, you can find the form here:
You can either print it and fill it in by hand or fill it out on screen first before printing. Either way, there’s no getting around the printing and posting bit. (Thanks HMRC)
| Don’t want the admin hassle? Email us at [email protected] and we can do it for you! |
What work-related expenses can you claim?
The expenses you can claim depend on your job and the costs you’ve had to cover. However, the most common claims include:
- Working from home expenses – If your employer doesn’t reimburse your home-working costs, you may be able to claim tax relief.
- Uniforms, work clothing and tools – If you have to buy and maintain specialist clothing or tools for work, you may be eligible for a refund.
- Business mileage – If you use your own car for work (excluding commuting), you could claim mileage expenses.
- Professional fees and subscriptions – Membership fees for certain professional bodies can be tax-deductible.
- Business travel and overnight expenses – If you’ve had to cover travel costs or overnight stays for work, these may be eligible.
- Work equipment purchases – Items you’ve bought for work, such as laptops, may also qualify.
A key thing to remember is you can claim for the current tax year and up to four previous years – so if you haven’t claimed before, you might be due a decent refund!
How long does it take to get your money back?
HMRC says it usually takes around 12 weeks to process a claim, but – let’s be honest – that’s an optimistic estimate.
And here’s another classic HMRC feature: there’s nowhere on the form to enter your bank details. That means when they finally process your claim, they’ll send you a cheque in the post.
Yes, a physical cheque. Welcome to 2025!
Should you do it yourself or ask an accountant?
Most people can handle a P87 form themselves. In fact, there’s a lot of free guidance online, and it’s not the trickiest tax form in the world.
However, if you:
- Aren’t sure what you can claim for
- Have multiple types of expenses
- Want to maximise your tax relief
Then it might be worth getting an accountant to review your claim.
At JVCA, the friendly accountants, we help clients navigate HMRC’s quirks, make sure they’re claiming everything they’re entitled to, and get their paperwork right the first time.
| Need help? Get in touch!If you want a second opinion on your expenses claim or just want to make sure you’re not missing out on tax relief, we’re here to help.Email us at [email protected] and let’s get your claim sorted – without the hassle. |
