What subsidies are available for work clothing?

Work clothes is an investment. But are there subsidies or financing schemes that help with purchasing them? And how can you, as an employer or entrepreneur, deal intelligently with the costs of work clothing? In this article we explain what options are available.

Please note: subsidy schemes change regularly and differ per sector and region. Always consult current sources or an advisor for the most recent information that applies to your situation.

Are there specific subsidies for work clothing?

There are no national subsidies in the Netherlands that are specifically aimed at the purchase of work clothing. Work clothing usually falls under general business costs and is in many cases deductible from profits. For an overview of schemes that may be relevant to your company, you can search for it Government business square. Here you will find an overview of relevant laws and regulations regarding work clothing for entrepreneurs.

If you want to specifically search for subsidy options, you can also search by subsidy for work clothing via Ondernemersplein for current information about regulations that may apply to your situation.

Work clothing as a deductible business expense

Even without a specific subsidy, work clothing is in many cases tax-efficient. If the work clothing meets the tax definition, namely clothing that is almost exclusively suitable for use during work or clothing with a company logo of at least 70 cm², then the purchase costs are deductible as business expenses.

For VAT-registered entrepreneurs, the VAT on work clothing can also be reclaimed as input tax. This makes the effective cost price of work clothing lower than the purchase price suggests. Consult a tax advisor or accountant for this.

Sector-specific regulations and collective labor agreements

In some sectors, agreements have been made via the collective labor agreement about a clothing allowance or clothing budget for employees. This is not a subsidy in the classic sense, but an employment law entitlement to a contribution to the costs of work clothing. Consult the applicable collective labor agreement for your sector to know whether such agreements apply.

In addition, funds are available for certain sectors that contribute to training, safety and working conditions. Work clothing as part of the working conditions may in some cases be eligible for financing from such a fund. Contact the T&D fund or the trade organization of your sector for more information.

Smart purchasing: quality that lasts

Even without subsidies, there is a lot to be gained by purchasing smartly. High-quality work clothing that lasts is cheaper in the long term than cheap clothing that wears out quickly. Tricorp offers work clothing that is designed for intensive use and frequent washing, so that the investment pays for itself over the life of the clothing. View the full range at workwear page.