How to Claim a Tax Refund in the UK

Why you might be owed a refund

• Emergency tax: you started a new job and were put on a temporary tax code. See what emergency tax is.
• A wrong tax code that took too much tax over the year.
• Leaving work part-way through the tax year and not working for the rest of it, so you did not use your whole Personal Allowance.
• Pension withdrawals taxed on an emergency code, which is common after taking money from a pension for the first time.
• Work expenses you can claim tax relief on, such as uniform cleaning or professional fees in some jobs.

How HMRC repays you

Most employees get a refund automatically. After the tax year ends HMRC checks your pay and tax, and if you overpaid it sends a P800 tax calculation, then pays the refund to your bank account or by cheque. If you do not get one and think you overpaid, you can claim through your personal tax account on GOV.UK or the HMRC app.

Time limit

You can normally claim a refund for tax paid up to four years after the end of the tax year it relates to.

Beware of claims companies

Claiming a refund from HMRC is free. Companies that charge a fee, sometimes a large percentage, for doing what you can do yourself online are best avoided.

To check what you should have paid, use the take-home pay calculator.

This guide is general information, not financial or legal advice. Rates checked 8 October 2026 against GOV.UK.