HMRC P87 Form Guidance – Claim Tax Relief on Work Expenses

If you are an employee in the UK who has work-related expenses that are not fully reimbursed by your employer, you may be entitled to claim tax relief using the HMRC P87 form. This applies to items like uniforms, professional fees, mileage, travel costs, or tools required for your job.

What is the HMRC P87 Form?

The form P87 HMRC is specifically designed for employees (not self-employed workers) who:

• Have expenses that are necessary for their job.
• Do not receive full reimbursement from their employer.
• Want to claim tax relief either by post or via the HMRC P87 online form.

This process can result in a tax rebate or a reduction in your tax bill for the year.

When Should You Use Form P87 HMRC?

You can use the HMRC V87 form if:

• You are not self-employed (employees only).
• Your work expenses are less than £2,500 in a tax year. (If more, you must file a Self Assessment tax return).
• You need to claim for:
  • Work uniforms and protective clothing (HMRC uniform rebate P87).
  • Tools or equipment required for your job.
  • Mileage or travel expenses (HMRC mileage claim form P87).
  • Professional fees and subscriptions (to unions, trade bodies, or institutions).

How to Complete the P87 Claim Form

1. Download the form or fill out on the website – https://www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees
2. Personal information – name, address, National Insurance number.
3. Employment details – employer’s PAYE reference, job title.
4. Expenses section – provide details of:
   • Uniforms and protective clothing.
   • Tools and equipment.
   • Mileage/travel (include dates and distances).
   • Professional fees/subscriptions.
5. Tax year – indicate the period of claim (e.g. 2023/24).
6. Declaration – sign and confirm the information is correct.
7. Submission – send by post to HMRC or use the hmrc p87 online system.

Online vs Paper – Which is Better?

• HMRC P87 online form – Faster, with fewer errors, and confirmation of submission.
• Paper form P87 HMRC – Still accepted but processing times are longer.

👉 Apply online here: https://www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees

Example Cases – HMRC P87

• Case 1: Uniform Claim
  A nurse buys and maintains her own uniforms. Using the HMRC uniform rebate P87, she receives annual tax relief.
• Case 2: Mileage Claim
  An employee regularly drives to temporary workplaces. By filling the HMRC mileage claim form P87, he receives a rebate on mileage expenses not covered by his employer.
• Case 3: Professional Fees
  A teacher pays for union membership. With a P87 claim, she successfully claims tax relief each year.

Common Mistakes When Filling the HMRC P87 Form

❌ Claiming for expenses already fully reimbursed by the employer.
❌ Forgetting to sign the declaration.
❌ Mixing up self-employed expenses with employed expenses.
❌ Providing incorrect mileage logs.
❌ Not keeping receipts for tools, uniforms, or subscriptions.

What Happens If You Fill Out the P87 Wrong?

• HMRC may reject your P87 claim form.
• Delays in processing your rebate.
• Risk of overclaiming, which could trigger an HMRC compliance check.
• You may lose out on legitimate tax relief if details are incomplete.

FAQs – HMRC P87

Q1: How much tax relief can I claim with the P87 form?
It depends on the expense type. For example, flat-rate allowances for uniforms range from £60 to £120 per year. Mileage is usually 45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles.

Q2: Can I submit a P87 claim online?
Yes, via the official hmrc p87 online form at https://www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees

Q3: How far back can I claim expenses?
Up to four tax years retrospectively.

Q4: What if my expenses exceed £2,500 per year?
You must complete a Self Assessment tax return instead of using the P87.

Q5: How long does it take to process?
Paper forms can take up to 8 weeks, while p87 claim online is usually processed faster.

Why Use Audit Consulting Group?

At Audit Consulting Group, we make sure your P87 claim is:

• Correctly completed without errors.
• Backdated for up to four years where possible.
• Maximised to ensure you receive every penny you are entitled to.

💡 From uniform rebates to mileage tax relief, we’ve successfully helped hundreds of employees claim back thousands in tax rebates.

Contact us today – we’ll handle your HMRC P87 form quickly and efficiently.

Official HMRC link to the P87 form: https://www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees