Archive Website of the UK government

When you can get tax relief for professional fees and subscriptions

It may be that in order to do your job you need to have your name included on a professional register or to have a special licence. Or it could be that it's very helpful to belong to an organisation whose activities are necessary to your work.

Either way you'll pay registration fees or membership subscriptions - usually every year. You may be able to deduct the cost of these from your taxable income and reduce the amount of tax you pay.

You may get tax relief on professional fees and subscriptions if:

• you have registered, obtained a licence or become a member of the organisation in question because it's necessary to your work
• HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has approved the organisation you're a member of

• List of HMRC approved organisations Opens new window

When you are not entitled to tax relief

You can't get tax relief on any fees and subscriptions that you pay to an organisation that HMRC hasn't approved.

You won't be entitled to tax relief:

• on a life membership subscription
• if you haven't paid for the allowable professional fees and subscriptions yourself - for example if your employer has paid them and has agreed a 'dispensation' with HMRC

Finding out how much tax relief you can get

When HMRC approves an organisation and adds it to the HMRC list they ask the organisation to let their members know that they might be entitled to tax relief on their fees or subscriptions. Your organisation can tell you how much you are allowed to deduct.

How to get tax relief for professional fees and subscriptions

To find out how you can get tax relief for your professional fees and subscriptions and how long you've got to get it, read the guide below.

• How to get allowances and reliefs - employees or directors

More useful links

• Tax allowances and reliefs - more information

• Tax allowances and reliefs - employees or directors

Useful contacts

• Money, tax and benefits contacts

• National Insurance Contributions Office