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Offshore worker with his kit bag on a harbour quay

Offshore Workers

Tax returns for oil, gas and renewables workers

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4.6 out of 519 reviews onTrustpilot

We prepare your Self Assessment and file it with HMRC as your authorised agent, including the allowable costs of offshore work: travel to ports and heliports, required kit, tools and equipment.

At a glance

  • 01Self Assessment prepared and filed by ACCA accountants
  • 02Travel to temporary workplaces under the 24 month rule
  • 03Every allowable expense checked by an accountant
  • 04Travel to and from airports, ports and heliports
  • 05Required kit, tools and equipment

Customer reviews

4.6
19 reviews on Trustpilot
  • A great company whom arranged my allowables despite my work and time demands
    Robert LawleyAvionics Onsite Engineer
  • Took about 9 weeks, but worth it. Got my allowables straight to my bank directly so very happy with this
    Emma RobertsonDD Cross Train DX Specialist

Who this is for

  • Earn over £12,500 per year (PAYE) or are self-employed

  • Travel to temporary workplaces (rigs or platforms for less than 24 months) including to/from airports or heliports

  • Pay for allowable expenses like travel, accommodation, or personal protective equipment (PPE) without full reimbursement

What to have ready

  • Rig / Work History: List of rigs or platforms, dates, and durations, obtainable from your employer or systems like Vantage

  • Records of travel to airports/heliports or other work related destinations

  • Receipts: Proof of expenses like flights, hotels, meals, or PPE not reimbursed

  • Employment Details: Payslips, P60s, or contracts to verify income and work locations

  • Bank Details: To receive any repayment of tax that your return shows is due

Fees, clear from the start

Our accountancy fee

From £99+ VAT

37.5% + VAT of the tax relief we secure, minimum £99 + VAT. You only pay if we secure tax relief for you. Nothing to pay upfront. You know the fee before we start.

Worked example

£1,000 of relief, our fee:

£375+ VAT fee

37.5% of £1,000. Below £264 of relief, the £99 + VAT minimum applies.

Our fees
Our fee37.5% + VAT of the tax relief we secure
Minimum fee£99 + VAT
UpfrontNothing to pay
When you payOnly if we secure tax relief, once the work is complete

Offshore Worker Allowable Expenses for Oil, Gas & Renewable Energy Sectors

Working offshore comes with unique challenges, long shifts, time away from home, and often significant travel and equipment costs. If you work in the oil, gas, or renewable energy sector (such as oil rigs, wind farms, or other offshore installations), certain unreimbursed work-related costs can be allowable expenses in your tax return.

At Zipp Tax, we help offshore workers prepare their tax return and include the allowable costs of offshore work, simply and with nothing to pay upfront.

Who this applies to

This may apply to you if you:

  • Work offshore in oil, gas, wind, or other renewable energy projects
  • Travel to temporary workplaces (locations where you work for less than 24 months)
  • Pay for work-related expenses out of your own pocket without full reimbursement from your employer
  • Have worked in the UK or on UK-related contracts

What can be included in your tax return?

Allowable costs can include:

  • Travel to and from ports or heliports
  • Ferry or flight costs to offshore installations
  • Accommodation and subsistence while away from home
  • Specialist tools or PPE required for your role
  • Training courses and certifications
  • Other job-specific expenses that your employer does not fully cover

Offshore Allowable Expenses vs Seafarers’ Earnings Deduction (SED)

Offshore worker allowables are separate from the Seafarers’ Earnings Deduction.
Depending on your work type and contracts, you may qualify for both. An accountant reviews your circumstances and checks every allowable expense.

How Zipp Tax Helps You

  1. Free initial assessment — check if you qualify in minutes
  2. We handle all the paperwork — no stress, no confusion
  3. Every allowable expense checked by an accountant
  4. Nothing to pay upfront

Start your offshore worker tax return with Zipp Tax today.

Questions

How does the tax return work for offshore workers?

We prepare your Self Assessment and file it with HMRC as your authorised agent. The return includes the allowable costs of offshore work, checked by an accountant. This is separate from the Seafarers’ Earnings Deduction (SED), which may also apply depending on your work and contract.

What costs can offshore workers include?

Allowable costs can include travel, hotel stays, meals, required kit, tools and equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE) and other work-related expenses that your employer does not reimburse. This covers travel to and from airports and heliports.

What is the 'temporary workplaces' rule?

Travel to a workplace where you expect to work for less than 24 months can be an allowable cost in your tax return. This applies to travel to temporary workplaces (rigs or platforms for less than 24 months) including to/from airports or heliports.

Can oil rig workers include travel costs in a tax return?

Yes. Travel costs can often be included, especially when you travel to remote or offshore locations for work. Allowable costs typically include:

•      Airfare, train, or bus tickets to and from the rig site

•      Car hire, or work travel in your own vehicle at HMRC’s approved rates

•      Hotel stays before deployment or during transit

•      Meals and incidentals while away from home

These deductions apply when the travel is to a temporary workplace (usually under 24 months) and not reimbursed by the employer. It's important to keep detailed records and consult a tax professional to ensure compliance with local tax laws.

Who else we help

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Let our experts help analyse your entire tax situation

Get startedor talk to us

From £99 + VAT. 37.5% + VAT of the tax relief we secure, minimum £99 + VAT. You only pay if we secure tax relief for you. Nothing to pay upfront.