Claiming exam and training costs from HMRC?

[redordead]

Currently working as an IT contractor and trying to navigate the minefield of expenses whilst being employed via an umbrella company. My question relates to claiming the costs of certification exams and training materials (books, video subscriptions, bootcamps etc..). Since I am not a limited company, I presume I would need to claim them back from HMRC in some way?

If that is the case and anyone here has done so before, I would be grateful if you could provide any advice and guidance on the best way to do so?

Thanks in advance

Red

[cojak]

There are no expenses of that kind if you work for an umbrella.

[GhostofTarbera]

You pay them via your net salary then


Nothing that’s it


You can’t claim back from anyone

[ladymuck]

Slightly wonky terminology. You don't claim anything off HMRC. That implies you're expecting them to pay for your training.

Some expenses can be offset against your tax bill to reduce the amount of tax you pay. You would still have to pay for the expenditure yourself.

However, as noted above, even that is not an option to you.

[redordead]

So basically if I was a limited company or self-employed/sole trader then I could claim tax relief on those expenses.

But as an umbrella employee, I am not entitled to claim tax relief for any training expenses or certification exam fees?

[Lost It]

Pretty sure if you have to have them for your job they aren't an expense. Might be wrong.

[ladymuck]

So basically if I was a limited company or self-employed/sole trader then I could claim tax relief on those expenses.

But as an umbrella employee, I am not entitled to claim tax relief for any training expenses or certification exam fees?

Kerching!

This is why, despite there being some excellent umbrellas out there, it is the worst of all worlds option.

[ladymuck]

Pretty sure if you have to have them for your job they aren't an expense. Might be wrong.

The other way around - you can claim tax relief if it's for your current line of business but if you want to train to do something new you can't claim relief on it. So if your line of business is PM/BA work you can't claim relief if you want to retrain as a brick layer.

[redordead]

The other way around - you can claim tax relief if it's for your current line of business but if you want to train to do something new you can't claim relief on it. So if your line of business is PM/BA work you can't claim relief if you want to retrain as a brick layer.

....just not if you're an umbrella employee! :-(

[Mordac]

....just not if you're an umbrella employee! :-(

You can't even claim expenses to re-train as an umbrella maker. Ironic isn't it...