Secrets of Tax refund for doctors in the UK

How to Claim Tax Refund on Your Expenses as a Junior Doctor in the UK





Written by: Mohamed Hassan :

As a junior doctor, you may be eligible for a tax refund on some of the expenses you incur as part of your job. These expenses can include travel to temporary workplaces, professional subscriptions, training costs and relocation expenses. Claiming tax relief on these expenses can reduce your tax bill and increase your take-home pay.

In this blog post, we will explain what kinds of expenses qualify for tax relief, how to claim them and how to avoid common pitfalls. We will also provide some references to help you find more information and guidance.

Travel to Temporary Workplaces

One of the most common expenses that junior doctors can claim tax relief on is travel to temporary workplaces. A temporary workplace is one where you work for less than 24 months, or where you expect to work for less than 24 months when you start working there.

If you are on a rotational contract, where you work at different hospitals for a fixed period of time, each hospital may count as a temporary workplace. However, this depends on the terms of your contract and whether you have a single employer or multiple employers.

You can claim tax relief on the cost of travelling from your home to your temporary workplace, or from one temporary workplace to another. You can use the approved mileage rates set by HMRC, which are currently 45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles and 25p per mile thereafter. You can also claim tax relief on parking fees, tolls and public transport fares.

You cannot claim tax relief on travel to a permanent workplace, which is one where you work for more than 24 months, or where you expect to work for more than 24 months when you start working there. You also cannot claim tax relief on travel between your home and your normal place of work, unless it is a temporary workplace.

Professional Subscriptions

Another common expense that junior doctors can claim tax relief on is professional subscriptions. These are fees that you pay to join or maintain membership of a professional body that is relevant to your work.

HMRC has a list of approved professional bodies that qualify for tax relief (List 3). Some examples of professional bodies that junior doctors may belong to are:

- General Medical Council (GMC)
- British Medical Association (BMA)
- Medical Defence Union (MDU)
- Medical Protection Society (MPS)
- Royal College of Physicians (RCP)
- Royal College of Surgeons (RCS)

You can claim tax relief on the full amount of your subscription fees, as long as they are not reimbursed by your employer or covered by another source of income. You can only claim tax relief on subscriptions that are required or beneficial for your work, not those that are purely personal or voluntary.

Training Costs

Some junior doctors may be able to claim tax relief on training costs, such as course fees, examination fees and study materials. However, the rules for claiming tax relief on training costs are quite restrictive and depend on the nature and purpose of the training.

You can only claim tax relief on training costs if the training is necessary for you to do your current job, or if it is required by law or by your employer. You cannot claim tax relief on training costs if the training is intended to help you get a new job, or if it is part of a planned career progression.

For example, you may be able to claim tax relief on training costs if you are required to complete a mandatory course or exam as part of your current role or contract. You may not be able to claim tax relief on training costs if you are undertaking an optional course or exam that will enable you to apply for a higher grade or speciality.

Relocation Expenses

Some junior doctors may be able to claim tax relief on relocation expenses, such as removal costs, legal fees, subsistence and replacement of domestic goods. This applies if you have to move house because of a change in your work location.

You can only claim tax relief on relocation expenses if the move is necessary for your work, and if you pay for the expenses yourself. You cannot claim tax relief on relocation expenses if the move is personal or voluntary, or if you are reimbursed by your employer or another source of income.

There is a limit of £8,000 per move for claiming tax relief on relocation expenses. If your employer pays for some or all of your relocation expenses, they are exempt from tax up to this limit.

How to Claim Tax Relief

There are two ways to claim tax relief on your expenses as a junior doctor: through PAYE or through Self Assessment.

If you are employed and pay tax through PAYE, you can claim tax relief online using HMRC's online service. You will need to register for an online account and provide details of your income and expenses. You can also use this service to check your previous claims and update your personal details.

If you are self-employed or have other sources of income, you will need to file a Self Assessment tax return to claim tax relief. You will need to register for Self Assessment and complete a tax return online or on paper. You will need to keep records of your income and expenses and report them on your tax return.

You can claim tax relief for up to four previous tax years, as well as the current tax year. The deadline for claiming tax relief for each tax year is 5 April of the following year. For example, you can claim tax relief for the tax year 2019/20 (6 April 2019 to 5 April 2020) until 5 April 2024.

References

For more information and guidance on claiming tax relief on your expenses as a junior doctor, you can refer to the following sources:



Here are some useful links to help you with your tax refund claim:

- Medics Money: A website run by doctors and finance experts that provides free guides, tools and advice on tax, pensions and financial planning for doctors. https://www.medicsmoney.co.uk/
- RIFT Tax Refunds: A company that specialises in tax refunds for healthcare workers and offers a no-win no-fee service. https://www.riftrefunds.co.uk/tax-rebates/healthcare/
- Personal Finance for Junior Doctors: A blog that covers various topics on personal finance, tax and investing for junior doctors. https://www.juniordoctorfinance.co.uk/

Comments

Post a Comment

Posts

Tax refund issue

Image
Tax refund issue: Collected and written by: Mohamed Hassan  Disclaimer You have to check the up-to-date information about the topic also, review the local legal regulations  Praise be to God, after working for a year in Britain, I applied for a tax refund and got an amount of 1137 pounds. I will explain that I submitted a refund for any expenses, how much money I asked for, and how much did it get back to me. 1- GMC and Royal College of Anesthesiology fees 505 pounds 2- The allowance for washing work clothes is 125 pounds 3- 48 pounds as a transportation allowance for some courses (since the hospital covered the costs of the courses, but without transportation) 4- 2093 pounds for exam fees and exam courses, knowing that I am not in a training program. The total amount was: 2852 pounds and manly 1137.60 pounds, which is 40 per cent of the amount required.   The amount was returned within seven days from the date of submitting the application, and it was deposited in m...
Read more

What you need to do when come to the UK

Image
What you need to do when come to the UK : Written by Mohamed Hassan  1. Get a sim card with a good offer, compare between offers using uSwitch application by your place postcode 2. Brp collection for yourself and your family members  3. Contact hr as soon as possible 4. contact the head of your department, and your colleagues in the department especially from your home country  5. Sign the contract  6. Get your contract copy  7. Get 5 copies of a letter addressed to whom may concern to ( with and without the salary shown on them )  you would need them for different reasons  to to apply for bank account,rent a place  ,Amazon, driving license, renew your leave with your previous employer ( as in your home country so do not give them one with your salary 😃) make sure these letter contain your full name ,dob ,passport number ,length and dates of your contact and or salary and or brp numbers  https://join.monzo.com/c/6smsmwh (5 £ bonus for just u...
Read more

فسحة لندن London tour in arabic version

Image
كتب محمد حسن فسحة لندن  أيا كان دى فسح مجمعة فى لندن كلها للعيلة او للأفراد حسب الوقت و الميزانية و كذلك خفة الحركة الاولاد او للمجموعات و مجرد مقترحات ..و انا عملت الحاجات دى فعلا مع أسرتى او مع أصحابى .. سواء الباكدج دى او اللى بعدها أو اللى تعجبك بس متنساش تاخد باص لندن الكبير .. https://rb.gy/i6jtap SEA LIFE London Aquarium + London Eye + Big Bus Standard Save up to 40% when booked together Prices from  £60.00 او  SEA LIFE London Aquarium + Madame Tussauds London + Big Bus Standard Save up to 42% when booked together Prices from  £60.00 هتاخد جولة باص لندن الاحمر الكبير Big London bus ( الجولة دى ضمن الباقة و ارخص لو اختارتها ضمن الباقة ) هيلف لندن كلها فى جولة طويلة و ممكن تركب الباص دا و تنزل منه فى كل معلم سياحى تتصور و تتفسح و بعد كدا تطلع فى الباص اللى بعديه  و تطبيق الباص (عشان يعرفك انت نازل فين https://www.bigbustours.com/en/london/mobileapp   و تروح المزار او المعلم السياحى اللى بعديه Big London bus بس يفضل طبعا تطبع التذاكر فى مكتبة او لو م...
Read more

Useful Audio/Podcasts for GP Doctors in the UK to Listen to During Commute

Image
Useful Audio/Podcasts for GP Doctors in the UK to Listen to During Commute Collected by: Mohamed Hassan  Unleash Your Commute: Must-Listen Podcasts for Doctors in the UK Are you tired of the same old traffic jams and crowded train rides during your daily commute to work? Well, guess what? Your commute just got a whole lot more exciting! We've curated a list of the best podcasts that will not only make your journey fly by but also leave you informed, entertained, and inspired. Say goodbye to boredom and hello to some fantastic audio companions! As a GP doctor in the UK, your commute to work can be a valuable time to stay updated and learn new things. Here are some useful audio/podcasts that you can consider listening to during your commute: 1. **Boggled Docs** : This podcast covers a wide range of medical topics and discusses how they relate to what's in the media, on TV, and in the news[1]. 2. **GPnotebook Podcast**: The GPnotebook podcast provides insights and discussions on ...
Read more

Taking a break ?

Image
Taking a break? written By Mohamed Hassan Disclaimer You have to check the up-to-date information about the topic  also, review the local legal regulations    Taking a break from work is essential for everyone, but it is especially important for those working in the healthcare industry. Doctors and other healthcare professionals working in the UK's NHS system are no exception. According to a study by the Royal College of Physicians, a significant percentage of doctors suffer from burnout and mental health issues due to the stressful nature of their work. Hence, it's important for them to take a break from work and recharge their batteries. Here are ten advantages of taking a holiday for doctors working in the UK under the NHS system: Reduces stress and burnout [ 1 ] Improves mental health and well-being [ 1 ] Enhances creativity and productivity [ 1 ] Boosts energy and improves sleep quality [ 1 ] Helps to create a better work-life b...
Read more

Up to date learning resources

Up-to-date learning resources    Free Sources for learning resources and CBDs :  A re you an IMG doctor or a UK doctor who wants to collect CPDs , get all the online courses you need, and improve your appraisal? We've got you covered with some helpful resources. If you're an IMG or UK doctor looking to collect CPD points, there are plenty of helpful resources available online.  ELFH : One such resource is ELFH, which offers free online courses and can be accessed at https://portal.e-lfh.org.uk/.   ESR NHS website Another option is the ESR NHS website, which also offers free online courses and can be accessed at https://my.esr.nhs.uk/dashboard/web/esrweb  BMJ learning is another popular choice, with an annual subscription available through BMA subscription and you can claim tax relief at the end of the year and can be accessed at https://learning.bmj.com/  UpToDate :  Other options include UpToDate, which is free and can be accessed after as...
Read more

who do you need to report any address changes

Image
Who do you need to report any address changes:   written and collected by Mohamed Hassan  Disclaimer You have to check the up-to-date information about the topic  also, review the local legal regulations  1-GMC 2- HMRC 3- Banks 4- Stores as Tesco, Morrison, Ikea etc  5- Mobile and internet  providers 6- DVLA 7- Amazon and ebay and and any online deliveries  8- Car insurance 9- DBS update service 10- DSL 11- Gas, electricity and water suppliers 12- UKVI if you have an application awaiting decision 13- NHS ESR - trust  14- Old and new council 15- New GP (actually this a new GP registration not update of address) and  dental surgery 16- Indemnity insurance 17- Professional bodies as royal college or BMA 18- TV licence 19- HEE 20.work  
Read more

That is how I got my mother in law visa (apply for a visa for parents )

Image
That is how I got my mother in law visa (applying for a visa for parents ) written and collected by Mohamed Hassan  Disclaimer You have to check the up-to-date information about the topic  also, review the local legal regulations  Your bank account statement recent as proof of sponsorship A letter from your employer as proof you can afford the expenses  Your tenancy agreement as a proof of address Papers showing that your parents have a home tie like they own flats, houses or they have a current job over there  Or a family certificate showing that they have other family members related to them and they have to look after them like brothers or sisters younger than you Parents' bank account if available Reason for their travel for example if you have a pregnant wife and she is going to deliver and you need someone to look after her etc 
Read more

Finding a house or moving houses ? here is your guide

Image
Finding a house or moving houses? here is your guide : written and collected by Mohamed Hassan  Disclaimer You have to check the up-to-date information about the topic  also, review the local legal regulations    Moving to a new country can be an exciting, yet challenging experience. As an IMG doctor, you may face various obstacles while settling in the UK. However, with proper research and preparation, you can make your transition smoother and more comfortable. When searching for a hospital to work in, it is essential to consider factors beyond the workplace. In addition to asking people in the area, you can use Google Maps to explore the surroundings. Look for nearby places such as mosques, halal restaurants, halal butchers, and halal groceries   It's also crucial to check for important services such as supermarkets, and malls within the town. This information will give you a better idea of what to expect and help you make informed decisions. Another imp...
Read more

Guide to Surgical Training in the UK for IMGs

Image
  Guide to Surgical Training in the UK for IMGs Collected and written by: Mohamed Hassan  Disclaimer You have to check the up-to-date information about the topic also, review the local legal regulations.  Guide to Surgical Training in the UK for IMGs FAQ: If I take a surgical residency in Egypt, does this reduce my chances of being accepted into a service job for a non-surgical post?  And if I take a surgical speciality in Egypt for less than 18 months, can I find a training job easily?  And is the MRCS better than Plab in applying for surgical jobs, or is there no difference If you are an international medical graduate (IMG) looking to pursue surgical training in the UK, you may have questions about the process and requirements. In this blog post, we will provide a guide and study plan for the surgical training curriculum and CREST form, as well as answer some common questions about surgical training in the UK. Surgical Training Curriculum The surgi...
Read more