Majority of nurses and midwives are not claiming tax relief on their annual registration fees

A large proportion of nurses and midwives are not claiming tax relief on their annual registration fees, a recent survey has found. 

The survey, conducted by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in September 2014, found that, although nearly 60% of respondents claimed to be aware of their entitlement to claim tax relief on their registration fees, only 32% said they actually claimed it back. 

Currently nurses and midwives are eligible for £20* tax relief on their annual registration fee of £100.   

Jackie Smith, Chief Executive and Registrar of the NMC, said:

“Every nurse and midwife should be claiming tax relief on their annual registration fees and it is surprising that so few nurses and midwives are receiving what they are entitled to.

“We recognise the fee increase has increased the financial burden on nurses and midwives, which is why we would encourage all nurses and midwifes to claim tax relief on their fees.” 

Nurses and midwives are able to claim tax relief on their annual fees through HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), which allows individuals to claim tax relief on professional subscriptions or fees that have to be paid in order for them to carry out their job.

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Notes for editors

1.   We are the nursing and midwifery regulator for England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Islands. We exist to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the public. We set standards of education, training, conduct and performance for nurses and midwives, and hold the register of those who have qualified and meet those standards. We provide guidance and advice to help nurses and midwives keep their skills and knowledge up to date and uphold our professional standards. We have clear and transparent processes to investigate and deal with nurses and midwives who fall short of our standards.

2.   *If you are a basic rate UK taxpayer.

3.   Tax relief on annual registration fees can only be claimed via the HMRC. It is not a process that the NMC can undertake on behalf of nurses and midwives.

4.   Nurses and midwives can claim their tax relief via personal tax returns or by contacting the HMRC via letter, phone or filling in a P180 tax review form.

5.   The HMRC does not normally require written information from the NMC of the payments nurses or midwives have made. However the NMC is happy to provide payment histories over the phone on 020 7333 9333.

6.   For further information on claiming tax relief on your NMC annual registration fee please visit: www.nmc-uk.org/Registration/Staying-on-the-register/Claiming-tax-relief-on-your-registration-fee/.

7.   For media enquiries, please contact Hannah Schraer at hannah.schraer@nmc-uk.org or on 020 7681 5936.