Armed Forces Tax Rebates
Serving and retired military personnel are often entitled to armed forces tax rebates for travel and mileage expenses over the last four years. If you've been travelling to postings that lasted under 24 months, you could be eligible for a significant tax rebate. These claims cover work-related travel and out-of-pocket expenses that HMRC may not have reimbursed.
The average Armed Forces tax refund is around £3,000, based on an average four-year claim. It’s important to know that reclaiming this money is your right—HMRC owes you if you've overpaid.
What Is an Armed Forces Tax Rebate?
A tax rebate is money returned to you when you've overpaid on your taxes. Armed Forces personnel often face situations that lead to overpayments, such as frequent moves, travel expenses, or specific job requirements. Claiming a tax rebate ensures that your hard-earned money ends up where it belongs—in your bank account.
Why Armed Forces Personnel May Overpay Tax
Due to the nature of military service, you may overpay tax if:
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Frequent Moves: When you move from base to base or serve in different parts of the UK or abroad, your tax code may not be updated correctly, leading to overpayments.
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Uniform Maintenance: Costs related to cleaning and maintaining your uniform may be eligible for tax relief.
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Work Travel: Travel between temporary postings or assignments can lead to overpaid taxes, as not all expenses are automatically reimbursed.
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Living Expenses: In certain scenarios, you may need to cover living costs that are eligible for tax relief.
What Expenses and Activities Count Towards My Military Tax Refund?
When claiming an Armed Forces tax refund, it’s important to consider all the potential expenses and activities that qualify—not just travel costs to temporary postings. Military tax refunds can include various work-related expenses and specific activities that incurred out-of-pocket costs.
Eligible Expenses and Military Activities
To maximise your refund, you can claim for expenses such as:
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Mess Dress: Costs related to purchasing or maintaining mess dress uniforms.
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Food Costs: Meals that are not covered while you’re away on duty.
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Time Spent on Secondments: If you’re at a temporary place of duty, including MACA operations like Covid-19 testing stations.
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Career and Trade Training: This includes all types of professional training, such as CMT, resettlement courses, or career courses needed for career advancement.
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Civilian Location Training: Courses conducted at universities or other civilian locations for career development purposes.
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Pre and Post Deployment Training: Expenses related to essential training before and after deployments.
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Regular Assignments Under 2 Years: Both UK-based and overseas assignments of under two years may qualify for tax refunds.
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For an instant estimate of how much you could be owed, try our Ultra Tax Ltd Military Tax Rebates Calculator. It takes just a minute to get started!
Why Choose Ultra Tax Ltd for Your Armed Forces Tax Refund?
At Ultra Tax Ltd, we understand the unique nature of Armed Forces expenses and the challenges that come with claiming them. Our expertise in military tax rebates means we can help you navigate HMRC’s requirements, ensuring you claim every penny you’re owed.
Expertise in Armed Forces Tax Claims
We specialise in tax refunds for military personnel, and our team knows how to navigate the intricacies of HMRC’s requirements. Whether you’re serving or retired, we have experience in processing claims for:
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Members of the Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force.
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Reservists and veterans.
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Personnel stationed overseas or on temporary duty.
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Our team works to ensure every claim is accurate and complete, maximising your Armed Forces tax refund. We know what expenses are eligible and how to present them effectively.
Common Reasons Why You Might Be Owed a Tax Refund
You could be owed a military tax refund if you have:
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Paid for Travel to Temporary Postings: If you've traveled to postings of fewer than 24 months and paid the costs yourself, those expenses could be refunded.
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Purchased Uniform or Equipment: Any military uniforms or protective gear, such as mess dress or safety boots, may be eligible for a tax claim.
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Paid for Training: Courses to further your career within the Armed Forces or related trade training may count towards a refund.
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Incorrect Tax Code: If HMRC has put you on the wrong tax code, you might have overpaid your taxes without realising it. We help ensure you’re on the correct tax code and claim back any overpayments.
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Worked Part of the Tax Year: If you were deployed or served only part of the year, you may be due a tax refund.
How to Claim Your Armed Forces Tax Rebate with Ultra Tax Ltd
Claiming your military tax rebate with Ultra Tax Ltd is easy and hassle-free. We manage everything from collecting the necessary information to submitting your claim to HMRC.
Steps to Claim Your Tax Refund
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Start Your Claim: Begin by using our Armed Forces Tax Calculator for an estimate, or simply contact us to start your claim directly.
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Provide Information: We’ll ask you for details on your work mileage, accommodation, and any eligible expenses. Our experts will guide you through this step to make sure no claimable expenses are overlooked.
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Relax While We Handle HMRC: Once we have the information we need, we handle all the paperwork and submission on your behalf. We’ll also liaise with HMRC to get your refund processed as quickly as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Armed Forces Tax Rebates
Who is Eligible for Armed Forces Tax Rebates?
​All serving and retired members of the Armed Forces—including reservists—could be eligible for tax refunds on various expenses incurred during postings, training, or other duties.
How Far Back Can I Claim My Armed Forces Tax Refund?
You can claim backdated refunds for up to four tax years. After four years, any unclaimed refund will be lost, so it’s important to start your claim sooner rather than later.
Can I Claim for Mess Dress and Uniform Costs?
Yes, you can claim for uniforms such as mess dress, as well as the maintenance and laundry costs for your work attire. This is a commonly overlooked expense that could result in a significant refund.
How Long Does It Take to Receive My Refund?
On average, it takes 8-10 weeks for HMRC to process Armed Forces tax refund claims once they receive all the required information. We’ll keep you updated throughout the process so you know when to expect your refund.