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Tax relief on professional subscriptions: Who Qualifies and What You Get

If you pay for mandatory professional memberships, you may be able to claim tax relief to reduce your costs.

This scheme allows you to claim back a portion of the money you spend on mandatory professional memberships.

Who it's for

This is for people in specific professions, such as teachers, who are required to pay for memberships to professional bodies or union fees to perform their jobs.

What you get

You can claim tax relief on the cost of these subscriptions. This effectively reduces the total amount you spend on these fees by a portion of your tax rate.

What it costs you

There is no direct fee to apply, but you will need to complete a specific tax form or log in to your personal tax account. It is important that you keep all your receipts and proof of payment for at least four years.

The catch to know

You cannot claim for every organization you belong to. You can only claim relief for subscriptions to organizations that have been officially approved by the tax office. Not all unions qualify for this relief.

How to apply

  • Check that your professional body or union is on the approved list.
  • Gather your receipts and proof of payment for the last four years.
  • Complete a P87 form or log in to your personal tax account to submit your claim.
  • Visit the official portal for more details: https://www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees