Claiming Tax Relief for Work Travel

We’ve all been there — juggling meetings, site visits, or emergency trips for work, thinking, “surely HMRC will give me something back for all this running around?” Well, good news: if you’re careful, you can claim tax relief for work travel in some cases. The key is knowing what counts and what doesn’t — because HMRC is very clear about the rules.

The Ordinary Commute Isn’t Claimable

First up, a reality check. Your daily trek from home to your “permanent workplace” is off-limits. No matter how long or boring your commute, HMRC sees it as your personal choice, not a business expense. So, leave your sighs and podcast playlists out of the claim.

Temporary Workplaces Are Your Friend

The silver lining? Travel to a temporary workplace is generally eligible for tax relief. Temporary usually means less than 24 months, like:

• A different office for a project
• A client site you need to visit regularly
• A training venue or work location that isn’t your main office

If you’re driving, cycling, or even hopping on a train for these journeys, HMRC allows you to claim back some of the costs.

Approved Mileage Rates

For vehicle travel, HMRC uses Approved Mileage Allowance Payments (AMAP). For the 2025/26 tax year, the typical rates are:

• Cars and vans: 45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles, 25p per mile thereafter
  • (The rate will rise to 55p per mile from April 2026, as confirmed by HMRC.)
• Motorcycles: 24p per mile
• Bicycles: 20p per mile

Important tip: if your employer reimburses you at these rates, you cannot claim additional relief. But if they pay less, you can claim the difference safely through Mileage Allowance Relief.

What About Tools and Equipment?

You can claim if transport is needed to carry essential tools or equipment for your job. But don’t get too creative, carrying a laptop in your backpack doesn’t magically turn your commute into a claimable journey. HMRC is strict on that one.

Public Transport? Only Sometimes

Using public transport can count, but only if it’s for travel to a temporary workplace. Trips to your permanent office, even if working from home isn’t possible, do not qualify. No refunds for your train rides to the office, I’m afraid.

Keep Records (HMRC Loves Evidence)

If you want to get relief, log every journey carefully:

• Dates and destinations
• Purpose of the trip
• Mileage or receipts

Good record-keeping is your ticket to a safe, stress-free claim, if you’d like a bit of guidance on what to include, you can always reach out to us for support. Think of it as building your travel diary — but one that makes your bank account happier.

Why It’s Worth the Effort

Even if each individual trip seems small, it can add up over the year. Many workers are surprised at how much they can claim tax relief for work travel once when they review their journeys properly. That’s a little extra cash for coffee, lunch, or saving for your next adventure.

Turning Travel into Treasure

Claiming tax relief for work travel is completely legitimate, as long as you stick to HMRC rules. Temporary workplaces, proper mileage logs, and approved rates are your friends. Avoid claiming commuting costs, fines, or anything personal, and you’ll stay on the right side of HMRC. As long as you follow HMRC rules, you can safely claim tax relief for work travel where eligible.

So next time you drive to that temporary site, take a moment to imagine your rightful tax relief quietly heading back to your account. Every mile counts, literally.