Do NHS Staff Get Mileage Reimbursement from HMRC?

If you work for the NHS and use your own car to visit patients, attend clinics or travel between sites, you may be eligible to claim a mileage tax rebate. While many trusts offer some level of mileage reimbursement, it’s often below the full HMRC-approved rate, which means you could be owed money.

What is the HMRC mileage rate?

HMRC sets an approved mileage rate of 45p per mile for cars for the first 10,000 miles in a tax year. If your trust pays less than this, you can claim the difference as tax relief.

For example, if your trust pays you 28p per mile, you could claim 17p per mile back in tax relief from HMRC.

Who qualifies for a rebate?

You may be eligible if:

• You’re a PAYE employee

• You use your own vehicle for work-related travel

• You’re not fully reimbursed by your NHS employer

This applies to roles like:

• Community nurses

• Midwives

• Mental health support workers

• Healthcare assistants

What journeys count?

Qualifying travel usually includes:

• Home visits to patients

• Travelling between hospitals or clinics

• Moving between multiple NHS sites in a day

Commuting from home to your regular workplace does not count.

Can I claim if I’ve already been paid per mile?

Yes. Even if you receive mileage payments, you can still claim tax relief if it’s less than 45p per mile.

How much can I get back?

Typical NHS mileage rebates range from £300 to £4,000, depending on how far you drive and how many years you’re claiming for.

How to start your claim

Services like TaxBax make it simple. We estimate your eligible mileage, submit the claim to HMRC on your behalf, and handle the full process.