How Does the HMRC Mileage Allowance Work for Temporary Jobs?
If you work at short-term or rotating job sites, you might be eligible for a mileage tax rebate. Many UK workers are unaware that HMRC has specific rules for travel to temporary workplaces, and that these journeys could qualify for tax relief.
In this guide, we break down how HMRC mileage rates apply if you work on temporary contracts, across different sites, or in mobile roles.
What is HMRC’s mileage allowance?
The current HMRC mileage allowance is:
45p per mile for the first 10,000 business miles in a tax year (car or van)
25p per mile after that
If your employer reimburses you less than this, or nothing at all, you may be able to claim the shortfall back through a tax rebate.
What counts as a temporary workplace?
According to HMRC, a temporary workplace is one where:
You work for less than 24 months
You expect to move to a different site once the role ends
Examples include:
Tradespeople on building sites
Social workers on fixed-term placements
Contractors at rotating client locations
Can I claim if I work at multiple sites?
Yes. Travel between temporary sites can qualify for tax relief. You cannot claim for commuting to a permanent office, but you can claim for:
Site-to-site travel
Short-term contracts at different locations
Non-commute mileage between job locations
How do I calculate my claim?
You can estimate based on your work schedule, job type, and travel patterns. TaxBax helps calculate average business mileage and submits the claim to HMRC.
How much can I get back?
Most workers can claim between £300 and £4,000, depending on their role, miles driven and number of years eligible.
Ready to claim?
TaxBax makes it simple. We estimate your eligible mileage, file with HMRC, and transfer the rebate directly to your account.
