Every filing season, Hong Kong government employees ask the same practical question: how much can I actually claim for uniform laundry in 2026? The answer isn't one fixed number — it depends on your department, your role, and whether you use the standard concession or a documented actual cost. Why Does This Deduction Exist? Hong Kong's Inland Revenue Ordinance generally excludes private clothing costs from salaries tax deductions. However, the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has carved out a specific extra-statutory concession for civil servants required to wear a uniform on duty. The reasoning is straightforward: uniformed staff incur a genuine, job-related expense that employees in ordinary clothing simply don't face. Who Qualifies for This Concession? Eligibility is tied to the role, not general civil service status. Disciplined-services officers, certain frontline government staff, and similarly uniformed employees typically qualify, provided the uniform is compulso...