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Published: February 2026 | by Admin
Every year, millions of people across the UK pay more tax than they should. In most cases, this is not because they did anything wrong, but because they were unaware they could claim UK tax relief. If you pay for work-related costs yourself, you could be entitled to money back.
For many people, tax relief results in refunds of a few hundred pounds each year. For others who have never claimed before, it can add up to much more when previous tax years are included. This guide explains UK tax relief in simple terms and shows you how to claim tax back correctly in 2026.
UK tax relief allows you to reduce the amount of income you are taxed on. When your taxable income is lower, your overall tax bill is reduced.
Tax relief is managed by HM Revenue & Customs, often known as HMRC. If you have already paid tax on income that allowable expenses should have reduced, you may be able to claim tax back.
Many people are surprised by how small weekly costs can turn into meaningful savings over a full tax year.
You may be eligible to claim UK tax relief if you fall into any of the following categories:
• You are employed and pay for work-related expense
• You are self-employed or freelance
• You are required to wear a uniform or specialist clothing
• You work from home regularly
• You receive income that is not fully taxed at source
Even if your expenses seem minor, it is often still worth checking what you can claim.
If you have overpaid tax, you may be able to claim tax back for the current tax year and up to four previous tax years. This means that in 2026, you may still be able to recover tax paid several years ago.
Most people claim tax back using one of the following methods:
• Through their online personal tax account
• Through a self-assessment tax return
• By correcting their tax code so less tax is taken in the future
Once approved, HMRC usually issues a refund directly to your bank account or adjusts your tax code.
A tax rebate is a refund of tax you have already paid. You may be entitled to a rebate if you paid for work-related expenses yourself and were not reimbursed.
Common examples of expenses people claim include:
• Professional subscriptions and memberships
• Tools and equipment required for work
• Safety gear and specialist clothing
• Travel costs related to job duties
The amount you receive depends on your tax rate, not the full cost of the expense.
Uniform tax relief is one of the most overlooked types of UK tax relief. If your job requires you to wear a uniform, protective clothing, or specialist workwear, you may be entitled to claim.
This applies to roles such as:
• Healthcare and care workers
• Tradespeople and engineers
• Hospitality and catering staff
• Delivery drivers and security staff
In many cases, HMRC allows flat rate deductions, which means you can claim even if you do not have receipts.
Working from home remains common in 2026, and many people qualify for tax relief without realising it.
You may be able to claim back tax for additional household costs, such as:
• Heating and electricity
• Broadband used for work
• Increased household running costs
You can claim either a flat rate allowance or actual costs based on how much of your home is used for work.
The use of home allowance for the 2025 to 2026 tax year allows eligible individuals to reduce their taxable income for household costs linked to working from home.
You can choose between:
• A simplified flat rate method
• A detailed calculation based on actual usage
This relief is particularly valuable for self-employed individuals, freelancers, and those with long-term home working arrangements.
Many claims are delayed or rejected due to simple mistakes, including:
• Not realising you are eligible
• Claiming expenses that are not work-related
• Failing to keep basic records
• Forgetting to claim for previous tax years
• Assuming small claims are not worth it
Over time, these missed claims can add up to a significant amount of money.
Some tax relief claims are straightforward, but others can become confusing, especially if you have multiple income sources or several types of expenses.
At Galaxy Financials, we help individuals and small business owners understand UK tax relief and claim tax back correctly. We handle everything from uniform tax rebates to working from home claims, ensuring your submission is accurate and fully compliant.
Professional support can save you time, reduce stress, and give you confidence that nothing has been missed.
UK tax relief reduces the amount of income you are taxed on by allowing you to claim certain work-related expenses. When your taxable income is lower, you pay less tax overall. If you have already paid tax, you may be able to claim tax back.
You may be able to claim UK tax relief if you are employed, self-employed, or freelance and pay for work-related costs such as uniforms, tools, or home-working expenses. Eligibility depends on your job and circumstances.
You can usually claim tax back through your online personal tax account or by submitting a Self Assessment tax return. Claims are processed by HM Revenue & Customs, and refunds are typically paid directly into your bank account.
Yes. If you are required to work from home or your role makes it necessary, you may be able to claim tax relief for additional household costs such as heating, electricity, and broadband during the 2025 to 2026 tax year.