Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Aircrew Forums > Military Aviation
Reload this Page >

Haircut tax relief

Military Aviation A forum for the professionals who fly military hardware. Also for the backroom boys and girls who support the flying and maintain the equipment, and without whom nothing would ever leave the ground. All armies, navies and air forces of the world equally welcome here.

Haircut tax relief

Old 6th Aug 2022, 13:59
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Haircut tax relief

As military personnel have to have their hair groomed iaw QR’s which means groomed more regularly than a civilian, has the question ever been asked if we can claim back the VAT.
Hoots is offline  
Old 6th Aug 2022, 14:19
  #2 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: 350/3 Compton
Age: 76
Posts: 777
Received 352 Likes on 86 Posts
Two chances mate!
Mogwi is offline  
Old 6th Aug 2022, 15:55
  #3 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Baston
Posts: 3,196
Received 415 Likes on 191 Posts
I thought it was two hopes: Bob and none.
langleybaston is offline  
Old 6th Aug 2022, 16:05
  #4 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Cambs
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by langleybaston
I thought it was two hopes: Bob and none.
And Bob’s out of town.
Slow Biker is offline  
Old 6th Aug 2022, 16:48
  #5 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Scotland
Posts: 831
Received 98 Likes on 51 Posts
Claim that you are being discriminated against for some reason.
Timelord is offline  
Old 6th Aug 2022, 17:15
  #6 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: 350/3 Compton
Age: 76
Posts: 777
Received 352 Likes on 86 Posts
Originally Posted by langleybaston
I thought it was two hopes: Bob and none.
Slim and eff all.

mog
Mogwi is offline  
Old 6th Aug 2022, 18:06
  #7 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 353
Received 145 Likes on 45 Posts
Based on the information you have supplied, I think you definitely have a prima facie case. In fact residents of [[i]insert town] are going viral for this service, and you could be owed ££££s.

If you would like to send your details and bank account number to info@doenitzgraabbitandscarper, my team can be on your case as soon as the banks open.
DuncanDoenitz is offline  
Old 6th Aug 2022, 18:12
  #8 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Glorious Devon
Posts: 2,624
Received 627 Likes on 366 Posts
I did ask HMRC about this issue. I did not catch their first word, but the second was Oscar.
Ninthace is offline  
Old 6th Aug 2022, 18:15
  #9 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: South East of Penge
Age: 74
Posts: 1,788
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
I always remember a fellow Flight Cadet having his first Cranwell haircut.;
"Can I keep my side boards?"
" Certainly Sir!''
Zip! Zip !
" Here they are !"
Haraka is offline  
Old 6th Aug 2022, 19:18
  #10 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Quite near 'An aerodrome somewhere in England'
Posts: 26,783
Received 257 Likes on 103 Posts
At the hands, or rather the clippers, of 'Slasher' no doubt, eh Haraka?

After my year on 99, I didn't get a haircut for at least another 4 months as an APO!
BEagle is online now  
Old 6th Aug 2022, 19:22
  #11 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: North of the M4
Posts: 346
Received 10 Likes on 2 Posts
If the Sergeant Majors, Station Warrant Officers and whatever the Navy has actually did their job for once and marched our scruffy dishevelled PM off to the base barbers next time he popped in for a Typhoon / Tank driving photo-shoot experience, the precedent wold be set, haircuts would be 100% claimable on expenses.
biddedout is offline  
Old 6th Aug 2022, 21:21
  #12 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: SW England
Age: 69
Posts: 1,490
Received 61 Likes on 33 Posts
It used to be 4 'opes: Envelope, Antelope, Bob 'ope and No...
Thud_and_Blunder is offline  
Old 6th Aug 2022, 22:39
  #13 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Home
Posts: 32
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Memory fades, but I’m sure this was clarified sometime in the 90’s, not long after self-assessment guidelines seemed to indicate that it would be reasonable to claim certain costs, including haircuts. An unofficial ‘mates’ memo did the rounds so I suspect there were enough claims being submitted to trigger the Taxman into action. If I recall there was MOD vs Treasury clarification issued, effectively telling us to stop taking the piss.

I remember claiming a monthly haircut and also dining-in nights which were promulgated as parades. It seemed fair enough the way the guidance notes were written and I was not the only one who claimed the tax relief.

My thought process was that if the Taxman insisted on sending a form to complete then why not claim iaw the guidance notes.

It worked the first year. By coincidence (maybe) I then had a very ‘aggressive’ random audit/investigation into my very modest income from rental property, including 100% check of receipts for all claimed expenses. Thankfully I had kept everything but they sure looked hard. Without doubt, if I had falsely declared anything they would have had me. It was rather an unpleasant process, the tone being an assumption of guilt unless you could provide all the original receipts.

I took the hint.
Arthur1815 is offline  
Old 7th Aug 2022, 04:33
  #14 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Dead Dog Land
Age: 77
Posts: 531
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
I once tried to claim Sgt's. Mess fees based on the premise that in civvy street union fees were deductible, no joy with that one either.
The Oberon is offline  
Old 7th Aug 2022, 09:34
  #15 (permalink)  
Thought police antagonist
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Where I always have been...firmly in the real world
Posts: 1,369
Received 86 Likes on 60 Posts
Originally Posted by Hoots
As military personnel have to have their hair groomed iaw QR’s which means groomed more regularly than a civilian, has the question ever been asked if we can claim back the VAT.
I'm pleased to say my expenditure on haircuts would have never warranted any claim back...
Krystal n chips is offline  
Old 7th Aug 2022, 10:01
  #16 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 4,333
Received 80 Likes on 32 Posts
I’d be surprised if most barbers/hairdressers charged VAT anyway. They would need to exceed the £85,000 threshold to be required to register. Also, many are self-employed and rent a chair from the establishment they work in, which keeps their tax liabilities too.

So, unless you’re going to Nicky Clarke’s salon, then I suspect there is nothing to claim back!
Lima Juliet is offline  
Old 7th Aug 2022, 10:57
  #17 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: SW
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Try getting a receipt off a cash hairdresser!
switch_on_lofty is offline  
Old 7th Aug 2022, 11:48
  #18 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Rhone-Alpes
Posts: 1,159
Received 243 Likes on 139 Posts
I recall an article on a barrister who tried to claim for black court clothing (not wig or gown ) and was turned down on the basis that it could be used "personally". The rejoinder that she wouldn't wear black clothing personally, cut no ice.In this case, you would certainly be availing yourselves of your haircuts in your personal lives
Tartiflette Fan is offline  
Old 7th Aug 2022, 12:30
  #19 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Near the coast
Posts: 2,360
Received 455 Likes on 120 Posts
Relief Sir?

Just to be serious for a moment. I’m all for claiming back every penny but can we do some simple maths for a second?

Let’s say a barber cut costs £10 (I realise this may not be taking inflation into account but it won’t be far off). Let’s also say that a good military man gets his haircut monthly. How often would a civilian visit the barber? Bi-monthly perhaps (I bet on average it could be claimed that civilians visit the barber as often as military men and probably visit more expensive barbers as well)? How much tax are you able to claim back from that £10 cut? Even if you were able to prove it I suspect we’re talking pennies over a year. In fact my time typing this message is worth more than you will manage to reclaim so I will stop typ…
Bob Viking is online now  
Old 7th Aug 2022, 12:43
  #20 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Alles Über
Posts: 374
Received 42 Likes on 17 Posts
Originally Posted by Bob Viking
Just to be serious for a moment. I’m all for claiming back every penny but can we do some simple maths for a second?

Let’s say a barber cut costs £10 (I realise this may not be taking inflation into account but it won’t be far off). Let’s also say that a good military man gets his haircut monthly. How often would a civilian visit the barber? Bi-monthly perhaps (I bet on average it could be claimed that civilians visit the barber as often as military men and probably visit more expensive barbers as well)? How much tax are you able to claim back from that £10 cut? Even if you were able to prove it I suspect we’re talking pennies over a year. In fact my time typing this message is worth more than you will manage to reclaim so I will stop typ…
Definitely not worth navigating the torture device that is JPA and the inevitable audit months in the future
trim it out is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.