HMRC to launch new mandatory P87 expenses form

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is to launch a new mandatory P87 form from 7 May to create a consistent standard for the P87s it receives.

What is a P87 form?

Workers and their agents can use a P87 form to claim tax relief on work expenses. The form can only be used to claim tax rebates for an employee, not if you are self-employed as this is done via the Self-Assessment system.

Taxpayers need to submit a separate P87 for each job they are claiming a tax refund for.

What is changing?

At the moment claims for income tax relief on employment expenses can be made using:

• a self-assessment tax return
• online service available to taxpayers (but not agents)
• print, complete and post the P87 form available on GOV.UK
• by phone (subject to limits) if a claim has been made for a previous tax year
• substitute claim form or letter. Substitute claim forms are widely used by high volume repayment agents.

From 7 May 2022 claims for income tax relief on employment expenses can only be made on the standard P87 form, which can be found on GOV.UK.

HMRC will reject claims that are made on substitute claim forms, but the other options above will remain available.

Although this measure is due to be introduced later this year, the new P87 form is now live here.

Links: HMRC to mandate the format of claims for employment expenses