'Tax relief’ means that you either: 

• pay less tax to take account of money you have spent on specific things, like business expenses if you are self-employed 
• get tax back or get it repaid in another way, like into a personal pension 

You get some types of tax relief automatically - but some you must apply for.  

When you can get Tax Relief 

Tax relief applies to: 

• pension contributions 
• charity donations 
• maintenance payments 
• time spent working on a ship outside the UK 

It also applies to work or business expenses – you may be able to: 

• get tax relief on what you spend running your business if you are self-employed (a sole trader or partner in a partnership)  
• claim tax relief if you are employed and you use your own money for travel and things that you must buy for your job 

See Also: 

• Charity donations: tax relief 
• Maintenance payments: tax relief