How Do I Check If I Am Owed a Tax Refund

What is a tax refund

A tax refund, also called a tax rebate, happens when you have paid more Income Tax than you owe for a given financial year. HMRC automatically reviews most tax records each year to identify overpayments, but sometimes you need to claim a refund yourself.

Refunds can arise through PAYE (Pay As You Earn) if you are employed, or through Self Assessment if you are self-employed or have multiple income sources.

Common reasons you might be owed a tax refund

There are several situations that can lead to overpaying tax. The most common include:

Having the wrong tax code applied by your employer or pension provider.

Starting or leaving a job partway through the tax year.

Working multiple jobs or having overlapping PAYE records.

Receiving redundancy payments or taxable benefits incorrectly calculated.

Paying emergency tax when starting new employment.

Changes to income, pension contributions, or personal allowances.

Submitting expenses or relief claims (for example, uniform or travel costs) after your tax was calculated.

Even small errors can result in an overpayment, so it is worth checking your tax status periodically.

How to check if you are owed a tax refund

There are several ways to check whether you are due a refund depending on how you pay your tax.

1. Check online through your Personal Tax Account

The easiest and fastest way to find out if you are owed a refund is by logging into your HMRC Personal Tax Account.

You can access it on the HMRC website using your Government Gateway ID. Once logged in, you can:

Review your tax code and PAYE income details.

Check the amount of tax paid in previous years.

See if HMRC has identified an overpayment.

View any pending refunds or correspondence.

If HMRC owes you money, you will usually see a message saying “You have paid too much tax” with instructions on how to claim your refund.

2. Wait for a P800 or PA302 tax calculation letter

If HMRC identifies an overpayment after reviewing your tax record, they will issue a P800 (for PAYE taxpayers) or PA302 (for Self Assessment taxpayers).

This letter explains how your tax was calculated and whether you are owed a refund or have underpaid.

If you are owed money, the letter will tell you:

The amount of the refund.

How it will be paid (bank transfer or cheque).

When to expect it (usually within a few weeks).

You can usually claim your refund online via the link provided or by following the instructions in the letter.

3. Check your payslip and P60

If you are employed, compare the tax paid on your latest payslip or P60 (issued after 5 April each year) with your personal allowance for that year.

If your total taxable income is below the personal allowance (for example, £12,570 for 2024 25), but tax was still deducted, you may be entitled to a refund.

You can use HMRC’s online tax checker or ask your employer’s payroll department to verify your PAYE deductions.

4. Review your Self Assessment return

If you file a Self Assessment tax return, HMRC will calculate whether you have overpaid or underpaid tax when your return is processed.

If you are due a refund, it will either:

Be paid automatically to your nominated bank account, or

Appear as a credit on your HMRC account to offset future liabilities.

You can check your Self Assessment account online to see if a repayment has been issued or is pending.

5. Contact HMRC directly

If you cannot find the information online, you can contact HMRC by phone or post. Have your National Insurance number and tax details ready.

The Income Tax helpline is usually open Monday to Friday, but waiting times can be long, so calling early in the day is recommended.

HMRC may ask for:

Employment details.

PAYE reference numbers.

Copies of payslips or P60s.

Once they confirm you are owed a refund, they will issue it either by bank transfer or cheque.

How long does it take to receive a tax refund

Refunds usually take:

Up to 5 working days if claimed online through your Personal Tax Account.

Around 2 3 weeks if processed automatically through PAYE.

Up to 8 weeks if handled manually or through correspondence.

If you file a Self Assessment return, HMRC typically issues refunds within two weeks of submission, provided there are no errors or queries.

Refunds by cheque can take longer, especially if sent by post.

How tax refunds are paid

HMRC pays most refunds by bank transfer directly to your nominated account. You can also request a cheque if you prefer.

Never share your banking information through emails, texts, or social media messages claiming to be from HMRC. Scammers often target taxpayers during refund periods, so always check official channels.

HMRC will only contact you about refunds through your Personal Tax Account or official correspondence.

How to claim a tax refund for previous years

If you realise you have overpaid tax in earlier years, you can usually claim a refund for up to four tax years after the end of the relevant year.

For example, in the 2025 26 tax year, you can still claim for overpayments made as far back as 2021 22.

You can make a backdated claim online or by writing to HMRC, providing evidence such as:

P60 or P45 forms.

Details of employment or pension income.

Proof of allowable expenses or tax reliefs.

HMRC will review your claim and issue any refund due.

Avoiding future tax overpayments

To reduce the risk of overpaying tax in the future:

Check your tax code regularly, especially after job changes.

Keep your HMRC Personal Tax Account up to date with your income and employment details.

Notify HMRC promptly about changes in circumstances, such as pensions or multiple jobs.

Claim eligible expenses and tax reliefs each year.

Use an accountant or tax adviser if your income is complex.

Regularly reviewing your tax position can prevent errors and ensure that you pay the correct amount each year.

Final thoughts

If you suspect you have overpaid tax, checking whether you are owed a refund is quick and easy through your HMRC Personal Tax Account. HMRC will automatically issue refunds in many cases, but it is always worth reviewing your records and tax codes to be sure.

Whether you are an employee, a pensioner, or self-employed, an accountant can help confirm your entitlement, submit claims, and ensure future tax years are managed correctly. A proactive approach ensures you never leave money you are owed sitting with HMRC.