Laundry tax rebate

[peppermint_jam]

I've been fowarded an email which states that you can apply to claim back some tax money for laundering your Uniform.

"This is good gen have posted mine off today.
It was researched by an army Major in Kandahar and they paid out.
They have had to open an office just to deal with these cases.
When they pay out they will change your tax code to reflect it.


Just complete the date, your national insurance number and the date you joined up at
(without looking at your i.d card, for the smallies!)

Then pass it on to anybody you know."

With the following form attached

"Your address
HM Revenue & Customs
South Wales Area Service
Ty Glas
Llanishen
Cardiff
CF14 5YA
02 July 2007

NATIONAL INSURANCE NUMBER:

MILITARY LAUNDRY EXPENSES TAX RELIEF

Sir,

I have been employed as a member of the regular armed forces (RAF) since (insert date you joined up) and am obliged to launder the uniforms supplied to me by the MOD at my own expense. I therefore wish to claim for the agreed laundry allowance at the rate of £140 per annum for the last six years under the statute of limitations.

I look forward to hearing from you shortly.


Yours faithfully,



Anon."

Not sure if it's a spoof or it's for real so i thought I'd put it on here, anyone know if it's a wind up?

p_j

[Wader2]

This is not a spoof but it is liable to challenge. As an officer about £361.80 (male) is deducted from your gross pay as a uniform allowance. At 22% tax rate this is equivalent to about £79.60. Over 5 years this amounts to about £400.

Over a similar 5 year period the cost of replacing all your number 2 uniforms through stores was exactly £400. You would need to do the sums today and claim tax relief on any increase since I did this comparison.

On this basis the tax relief takes no account of laundry, ironing, dry cleaning etc or indeed of replacement for No 1s, No 5, No 6s etc. So on that basis you can claim your actual costs.

The 6-year period mentioned above it, IIRC, the maximum that you can go back.

Is there a catch?

Yes, in the major's case there are two. If he pays tax at 40% then the annual relief is £144.72 or £65.12. HMRC may well claim he is already getting £65 quids worth of relief.

Then the major is undoubtedly wearing free-issue combat clothing now and indeed most of the time at home instead of barrack dress. True, this does need laundering but you will notice the symmetry of his claim for £140 and the actual amount already abated.

Anyway the £140 is the actual laundry cost and not the amount he would get from the tax man.

Now addressing the home based airman's case (officer). As free CS95 is not usually worn it follows that the uniform allowance will be swallowed up by simple replacement. Any maintenance costs would be on top.

Does it only cost £140 per year to maintain your kit?

If you go through the process - soap powder, electricity, water, ironing etc and then add in dry cleaning bills - don't forget the mess kit - shoe polish etc you will get far more than £140. Don't claim an agreed allowance claim what you believe are the actual costs.

Check my maths and go for it.

Mrs Wader, as a nurse, had an annual agreed allowance of £10. We challenged the RCN who came up with a cp answer. I submitted a claim for about £140 (3 uniforms per week each worn once etc) and they paid the extra without even blinking. That £140 was 20 years ago!

[MATZ]

I did it.

I did this in March (before the tax year end) and in mid-May I recieved a letter from the very nice tax man saying that I could claim £45 per year for the last 5 years, and that from now on I should claim this on my tax return.

I did only ask for £45 per year, but that is a reasonable ammount (and that's what the letter I copied from ARRSE used...)

So it does work, and for the cost of a stamp, it's "free" money.

MATZ

[peppermint_jam]

Thanks for the replies gents, I've filled out a form and dropped it in the post. I expect they will close the loophole before my claim gets looked at, but it's worth a go for sure! Cost of a stamp?? OHMS envelope more like....

[Wader2]

PJ, no loop hole I assure you.

[PPRuNeUser0211]

MATZ - so they coughed up straight away with a cheque in the post, but then said "If you're going to claim this in future please include it in your tax return"?

PJ - let us know how it goes!

All: Where does the "agreed allowance of £140" come from?

[MATZ]

No cheque I am afraid. They simply adjusted my tax code, but it's as good as a rebate - well, nearly!

MATZ

[mutleyfour]

Sent mine in march and havent heard anything?

[philrigger]

This letter from official sources is currently doing the rounds .
The MOD has recently become aware that there is some confusion on units regarding eligibility for tax relief for laundry expenses. This has been compounded by a recent chain letter purporting to enable individuals to claim back tax set against costs of laundering uniform items. This issue has recently been clarified in the RAF News, however for ease of access the information is replicated below.
In April 2003 Her Majesties Revenue and Customs (HMRC) provided information regarding miscellaneous expenses (haircuts, shoe polish etc). Specifically they advised that even though these expenses may be seen as necessary for work purposes each has a dual purpose, making them equally relevant to off duty hours. The tax legislation is clear in that expenses must be exclusively for work purposes and accordingly, no allowance can be given and therefore a claim should not be made on the tax return form. On 1 May 2007, this guidance was reiterated at a meeting with HMRC staffs. At this meeting HMRC also confirmed that no tax relief was available for Servicemen for the washing of their uniforms: officers, because they receive recompense for ‘upkeep’ within their tax allowance; and airmen because they have the option of having clothing laundered at unit level.
The MOD has been advised by HMRC that letters received by the Swansea Tax Office on this subject will not be actioned.
So that is that then!





'We knew how to whinge but kept it in the NAAFI bar.'

[c130jbloke]

Bo//ocks !!!!
.
.
That's a stamp and 20 minutes wasted then.

[Mr C Hinecap]

There is a similar reply on the letters page of the latest RAF News. Gutted you wasted that stamp.
*slinks off in the shame of admitting reading RAF News - not just looking for photos of people I know*

[mutleyfour]

But we all know that the military laundry system is a bit like the Lottery, you put a lot in and get very little back out.

[dallas]

Originally Posted by mutleyfour

But we all know that the military laundry system is a bit like the Lottery, you put a lot in and get very little back out.

And can you imagine everyone who lives-in laundering all their uniform items through the one civvy bloke at Barrack Stores who works Mon-Fri 9-3ish, except Wed and Fri afternoons when they're closed for paperwork...

Of course it's long-winded and impractical, which is what they rely on - a little like minor claims on JPA - so people don't bother.

[greenhaven]

Out of interest, the Mess Subscriptions rebate under the "Membership to professional bodies" tax relief will also be similarly 'flanned' by HMRC now.

I also wasted a stamp on that one....

[Wader2]

Originally Posted by philrigger

The MOD has been advised by HMRC that letters received by the Swansea Tax Office on this subject will not be actioned.

Not actioned maybe but under an FOI request they must be responded to within 20 days!

On an unrelated matter I emailed HMRC and their website promised a response within 5 days. I got a same day personal response that answered my query.

If you accept that their argument is valid, in the normal course of events, then you should engage with HMRC and claim that your claim is outside the range of normal.

Officers, do check exactly what the uniform relief amounts to and compare this with the replacement cost of everyday items of uniform. You wil find that the allowance does not even approach the cost of an SD Hat (Cap), uniform shoes, No 1s/5s/6s etc.

Airmen etc, it the base laundry system actually effective? Do you have enough uniform to 'lose' items in the laundry system for a week? Does your working pattern allow you to use the system?

Incidentally, flying coveralls and engineer's coveralls should be laundered within the system as they are considered as contaminated and should not be put through your domestic laundry with the wife's knicks.

If you can then demonstrate additional expenses and not availability of public laundry then the HMRC would have no option but to allow you additional relief.

[Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!]

I heard the Navy has an extensive laundry allowance, but it only applies to laundering sheets





ok, back to JetBlast for me

[bad livin']

Aaa....rgh. The RN provides a sterling laundry service at sea courtesy of a contracted firm; the gents carrying out said laundering are often ex Ghurkas and a harder working bunch you'll seldom see. It's not cheap, but then it's the only real option.

[Wader2]

Originally Posted by bad livin'

It's not cheap, but then it's the only real option.

So same as for car milage allowance. You can claim the difference.

Suppose your laundry bil came to £5/week = £230 and you had to buy £200 worth of kit, then you can claim an additional £430-£367 or £63 worth of allowance (unless you are a girly in which case it will be about £15.

All youhave to do is keep the receipts and be prepared to argue your case.

[fantaman]

Airmen etc, it the base laundry system actually effective? Do you have enough uniform to 'lose' items in the laundry system for a week? Does your working pattern allow you to use the system?

The laundry system made available to the junior ranks on my camp is well below the standard I would expect. I'm the JNCO of the block and have brought the issue up on many an occasion, always to be told that the matter was not up for further discussion.

At the moment, there is one tumble dryer and two washing machines for 50 occupants. You can guarantee that at least one of the machines will be U/S at any one time. It costs us £1 per wash and £1 per dry. I normally do about two washes per week, sometimes even three depending what I'm doing that week (ie sports, swimmng, CCS etc). My laundry bill can be as much as £20 some months.

Unfortunately, whoever actions the contracts for these facilities seems to pick the first one that crosses his desk and this almost all the time, is the most expensive.

What can you do?

[Wader2]

Originally Posted by fantaman

My laundry bill can be as much as £20 some months.

What can you do?

Log the costs, claim the bill - but £210 * 22% is only worth £47. If you are not filling in a tax claim is it worth it?