16 Expenses Delivery Drivers Claim on a Tax Return

So here it is, 16 expenses delivery drivers claim on a tax return in the UK.

As our thirst for next-day delivery increases, so does the need for delivery drivers.

This has given people the opportunity to work flexibly around family commitments, choosing when to work, and in most cases, increasing their income from being able to work for multiple companies.

It’s possible towork for Amazon Flex during the day, then deliver food for Uber Eats in the evening.

Self-employed delivery driver in the UK does not work for an employer who pays them a salary each week or month. Instead, they enter into a contract with a company and earn an income, which has various responsibilities around tax.

When a self-employed delivery driver gets paid, the payment that arrives in their bank account has not had the tax withheld from it.

This means that as a self-employed delivery driver, you must register as self-employed, then ask an accountant to prepare and file your tax return to HMRC, and then pay any tax that is due.

If this sounds a little scary, or you have a lot of questions because you have never been self-employed before, why not contact us today?

Before we get into our list, I bet you didn’t know that as a self employed delivery driver, you can claim back tax from HMRC when you file a tax return with Ugo Tax.

You can reduce your tax bill by claiming expenses if you’re self-employed. HMRC allows you to deduct these expenses to work out your taxable profit.

What if I am an employed delivery driver? If this is the case you cannot claim expenses back from HMRC.

When you are a self employed delivery driver you have certain responsibilities. One thing you must do is keep records for any expenses you are considering claiming back in your tax return.

The reason you must keep records is incase you are investigated by HMRC, and are asked to prove you have legitimately paid for these expenses.

16 Expenses Delivery Drivers Claim on a Tax Return

PLEASE NOTE: There are strict rules associated with expenses that delivery drivers claim on a tax return in the UK.

Unfortunately, you cannot claim parking or speeding fines, and you need to decide if you will claim mileage instead of actual expenses (for example, petrol or vehicle servicing costs), as you cannot claim both.

• Vehicle and Courier Insurance
• Accountancy Fees
• Road Tax
• Breakdown Recovery
• Phone Holders and Chargers
• Parking Charges
• Vehicle cleaning/car washing costs
• Vehicle polishing and cleaning materials e.g: Buckets, sponges and clothes
• MOT Annual charges
• Vehicle repairs and servicing costs associated with maintaining your vehicle
• Mobile phone usage
• Sat Nav
• Petrol/Diesel Costs from refuelling
• Toll Charges
• Vehicle purchase/hire or leasing costs
• Delivery bags used to keep food warm

Frequently Asked Questions for UK delivery drivers

Can I claim car wash or vehicle cleaning expenses as a self-employed delivery driver?

Yes, the cost of keeping your vehicle clean and tidy is an allowable business expense you can claim on your tax return.

Are parking charges and toll fees tax-deductible expenses I can claim on a delivery driver tax return?

Yes, parking and toll fees directly related to deliveries are tax-deductible. However, parking fines or penalties are not.

Can I use fuel receipts to get tax back?

To keep things simple you may choose to calculate your vehicle expenses using a mileage allowance instead of using actual costs which can be a great deal simpler. If you choose to do this you can claim 45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles and 25p per mile thereafter.

Got a question?

Why not get in touch if you have a question about how to submit your self-employed delivery driver tax return?