How long do security rebates take?

HMRC's can often be a little slow at times, but they do ultimately try to help. It usually takes about 8-12 weeks for them to release your refund. But, the sooner you get your information to ZippTax's dedicated refund specialists, the quicker your refund claim process will be.

What expenses can I claim?

For security workers, you may be utilising your own vehicle, or public transport to travel to temporary workplaces. If your employer isn't reimbursing you at the rate HMRC stipulates you should get, you can claim back the difference as a tax refund. Depending on your work status, you might also be able to claim a tax refund when you pay for food, upkeep of your uniform, any licences or professional/subscription fees you may be paying.

What is a Security Worker Tax Rebate?

A Security Worker Tax Rebate is a refund from HMRC for work-related expenses you’ve paid for yourself, such as your SIA licence, travel to temporary worksites, and uniform upkeep, that your employer hasn’t reimbursed.

Can I claim tax relief on my SIA licence?

Yes. HMRC allows you to claim the full cost of your SIA licence – both the initial application and renewals – as part of your allowable expenses.

How far back can I claim a Security Worker Tax Rebate?

You can backdate your claim for up to four tax years, meaning you could receive a lump sum refund if you’ve never claimed before.

Can security guards claim mileage?

Yes, you can claim mileage to temporary workplaces at HMRC’s approved rates – 45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles in a car, then 25p thereafter.

I’m self-employed – can I claim more expenses?

Self-employed security workers can claim a wider range of expenses, including uniform purchase, training, marketing, and office costs, as well as mileage and SIA licence fees.

Do I need receipts to claim?

While receipts help, some expenses like mileage and flat-rate uniform allowance can be claimed without them. HMRC may still request evidence, so keeping records is recommended.

300+ customers served

Security Workers

Claim tax back on travel, SIA licenses, and uniform expenses

When you travel to temporary workplaces for security work, you're stacking up out-of-pocket expenses. If you're not getting full allowances from your employer, you could claim tax back from HMRC on work mileage, SIA license fees, and the upkeep of your essential gear and uniform.

Claim up to 4 years of overpaid tax

Average 4-year security rebate exceeds £2,000

SIA licence costs (£220 every three years) fully claimable

Claim travel, uniform maintenance, and meal expenses

No upfront fee

30% of claim value

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What security workers say about us

Real reviews from security workers who trusted Zipptax with their Self Assessment.

"ZippTax did pretty much all the work and got everything submitted for me… I got £2,360 back from HMRC!"

Mark Chen

Security Supervisor

"I had no idea I could claim back my SIA licence fees and travel costs. Got over £1,800 back for the last 3 years."

Sarah Williams

Event Security Officer

"ZippTax helped me claim back my uniform cleaning costs and travel expenses. The process was smooth and I received £1,500 back!"

James Thompson

Security Guard

Your potential savings

Based on average claims from customers in your industry

£1200

Average per year

Years backdatable

£4800

Total potential

*Average amounts based on successful claims. Individual results may vary.

Who can apply?

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Earn over £12,500 per year (PAYE)

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Travel to temporary workplaces (event venues or client sites for less than 24 months)

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Pay for work-related expenses like SIA licence fees, uniform cleaning, or travel without full reimbursement

What You'll Need

📊

Mileage Logs: Records of travel to temporary work locations, including dates and miles driven

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Receipts: Proof of expenses like SIA licence fees, uniform cleaning, or travel costs not reimbursed

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Employment Details: Payslips, P60s, or contracts to confirm income and work sites

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Bank Details: For HMRC to deposit your refund directly

Why ZippTax?

Zipp Tax makes tax rebates easy, with your refund going straight from HMRC to you.

We charge 30% + VAT for PAYE claims (minimum £99 + VAT), invoiced separately

Reclaim your expenses from the last four years today!

Expert handling of all HMRC paperwork

Direct refund from HMRC to your account

Guarantee

When you claim your security tax rebate with ZippTax, our guarantee means that you'll never have to worry about HMRC reclaiming your refund money. So long as you give us full and accurate information, if HMRC disagrees with the amount that we've claimed, we will swallow the cost for You and it won't cost you a penny!

Security Worker Tax Rebates – Claim Your SIA Licence & Work Expenses

If you work in the UK security industry, you could be entitled to Security Worker Tax Rebates worth hundreds of pounds every year. Whether you’re a full-time employee or a self-employed security professional, HMRC allows you to claim tax relief on essential work-related expenses such as:

SIA licence application and renewal fees
Travel and mileage to temporary workplaces
Laundry and upkeep costs for work uniforms
Essential safety gear and professional training

The good news? You can backdate your claim for up to four tax years – so even if you’ve never claimed before, it’s not too late to get what’s owed to you.

What Are Security Worker Tax Rebates?

A security worker tax rebate is money HMRC refunds when you’ve paid for necessary work costs out of your own pocket. This applies to a wide range of roles, including:

Security guards
Door supervisors
Close protection officers
CCTV/public space surveillance operators
Keyholding and mobile patrol staff

These rebates are available whether you’re on PAYE or self-employed. The key is keeping track of your allowable expenses – costs HMRC considers essential for your job.

Claiming Your SIA Licence Tax Rebate

If you’re working in security, chances are you need a valid SIA licence. It’s illegal to carry out most security work without one.

Typical SIA-related expenses you can claim:

£220 for your initial SIA licence application
£220 for your renewal (every 3 years)
Associated training costs (e.g., First Aid, industry-specific courses)

Example:
Robert, a security guard, claimed back both his initial SIA licence fee and his renewal fee, alongside travel expenses and uniform cleaning costs. Over four years, his total refund was substantial – simply because he knew what to claim.

Other Allowable Expenses for Security Workers

You can include a variety of job-related costs in your security worker tax rebate claim:

Travel to temporary workplaces – by car, motorcycle, or public transport
Mileage allowance (HMRC rates):
- Cars: 45p/mile (first 10,000 miles), 25p/mile thereafter
- Motorcycles: 24p/mile
Uniform upkeep – cleaning, repairing, or replacing workwear with a company logo or safety gear
Professional body fees – including SIA and other industry memberships
Tools and equipment essential to your role

What You’ll Need to Make a Claim

HMRC requires proof before paying out your security guard tax rebate. You’ll need:

List of all workplaces visited (with approximate dates)
Receipts for SIA licence fees, uniform cleaning, and travel costs
Contract of employment(s) for the claim period
Photo ID and proof of address
Wage slips (up to 4 years)
Mileage records (logbook, MOT certificates)
P60 or P45 forms
Previous year’s documents if you haven’t claimed before

Tip: If you don’t have a Personal Tax Account (PTA), ZippTax can help you set one up for free. It keeps all your HMRC records in one secure place.

Uniform and Safety Gear Tax Rebates

Security work often involves wearing specific clothing or protective gear. Under PAYE rules, you can claim the cost of cleaning, repairing, or replacing these items – but not their initial purchase cost.

Self-employed security workers, however, can claim both purchase and upkeep costs through their Self Assessment tax return. This means you can offset these costs directly against your taxable profit.

If you prefer a simpler method, HMRC allows the use of flat rate deductions (PAYE) or simplified expenses (self-employed). While this may give you a slightly smaller rebate, it cuts down on paperwork.

Self-Employed Security Worker Tax Rebates

If you run your own security business, you’ll file a Self Assessment tax return each year. This allows you to claim a wider range of expenses, including:

Office costs – phone, stationery, admin tools
Marketing – website, online ads, business cards
Training courses – keeping skills up-to-date
Mileage to temporary sites
Equipment purchases and upkeep
SIA licence fees

Example Mileage Claim:
If you drove 15,000 miles last year for temporary security jobs:

First 10,000 miles at 45p = £4,500
Remaining 5,000 miles at 25p = £1,250
Total claimable mileage = £5,750

Why Choose ZippTax for Your Security Worker Tax Rebate?

Industry specialists – We understand security work and HMRC’s rules.
Maximise your claim – No eligible expense missed.
Hassle-free process – We prepare, submit, and chase HMRC on your behalf.
Up to 4 years backdated – Even if you’ve never claimed before, it’s not too late.

Start Your Claim Today

Don’t leave your hard-earned money with HMRC. Claim your Security Worker Tax Rebate now and get back what’s rightfully yours.

Free tax refund calculator – See how much you could get.
No upfront fees – We only get paid when you do.
Specialist support for security workers

Contact ZippTax today and start your claim in minutes.