Who can get a tax refund in the UK

You can get a tax refund in the UK if you have paid more income tax than you owe. This happens most often when you have had tax taken from your pay but your actual tax bill for the year is lower — for example, if you worked only part of the year, had multiple jobs, or claimed deductions you hadn't registered with your employer.

You may also be owed a refund if you are self-employed and have overpaid through your Self Assessment tax return, or if you have paid tax on savings interest or investment income that you shouldn't have paid tax on at all.

The UK tax authority, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), handles all income tax refunds. You do not explore to a bank or a separate organisation — you deal directly with HMRC.

Key Takeaways

  • HMRC will refund you automatically if your employer has registered you for a refund, but you may need to contact them if you have changed jobs or worked part-time.
  • Self-employed people and those with savings or investment income must file a Self Assessment tax return to claim a refund.
  • You can check whether HMRC owes you money by logging into your personal tax account online or calling the HMRC helpline.
  • Refunds usually take 4 to 8 weeks from the date HMRC receives your claim, though this varies depending on how you submit it.
  • You do not need to pay anyone to help you claim a refund — HMRC's online service and helpline are free.

Checking if you are owed a refund

The fastest way to check is to log into your personal tax account on the HMRC website using your National Insurance number and a password you create. Once logged in, you can see your tax code, how much tax you have paid, and whether a refund is due. This takes a few minutes and shows you the current position.

If you do not have a personal tax account, you can create one on the HMRC website. You will need your National Insurance number, which is on your payslip, P45, or any letter from HMRC.

If you prefer not to use the online service, you can call the HMRC Income Tax helpline. The number is on any tax letter you have received. When you call, have your National Insurance number ready. The helpline can tell you whether a refund is due and how much.

How to claim a refund if you are employed

If you are employed and HMRC has not already sent you a refund, you can claim one through your personal tax account. Log in, select "claim a refund", and follow the steps. You will need to explain why you have overpaid — for example, that you worked only part of the tax year, or that you had two jobs and one employer did not know about the other.

HMRC will then review your claim. If it is correct, they will send the refund to your bank account. You do not need to provide payslips or other documents unless HMRC asks for them.

If you have recently left a job and received a P45 (a form your employer gives you when you leave), keep it. If you start a new job, give the P45 to your new employer so they can set your tax code correctly and avoid overpaying tax in the first place.

How to claim a refund if you are self-employed

If you are self-employed, you must file a Self Assessment tax return each year to claim a refund. You cannot claim through the personal tax account alone. The important date to file your return is usually 31 January following the end of the tax year (which runs from 6 April to 5 April).

You can file your return online through your personal tax account, or you can use accounting software that connects to HMRC. When you file, HMRC calculates how much tax you owe based on your income and expenses. If you have already paid more than you owe through Self Assessment payments on account, HMRC will refund the difference.

If you have never filed a Self Assessment return before, you must register for Self Assessment first. You can do this on the HMRC website, and registration usually takes a few minutes.

Refunds for savings and investment income

If you have received interest from a savings account or dividends from shares, and tax has been taken from that income, you may be able to reclaim it. This is common if you are a basic-rate taxpayer but your bank or investment provider has taken tax at a higher rate, or if you are not a taxpayer at all.

To claim, you will need to contact the bank or investment provider directly and ask them to reclaim the tax on your behalf. Alternatively, you can include the income in a Self Assessment tax return and claim the refund through HMRC.

If you are not a UK taxpayer — for example, because your income is below the personal allowance — you may be able to register with your bank so that no tax is taken in the first place. Ask your bank about Gross Interest Directions, which allow you to receive interest without tax being deducted.

How long a refund takes

If you claim through your personal tax account, HMRC usually processes the refund within 4 to 8 weeks. If you file a Self Assessment return online, the refund is usually sent within 4 weeks of the return being accepted, though this can take longer during the January rush when many people file at once.

HMRC will send the refund to the bank account you have registered with them. Check your personal tax account to see the status of your refund — it will show "processing" while HMRC is reviewing it, and "refund sent" once the money has been released.

If more than 8 weeks have passed and you have not received your refund, contact HMRC through your personal tax account or call the helpline.

What to do if HMRC owes you money but has not sent it

If you have checked your personal tax account and it shows a refund is due, but you have not received it after 8 weeks, log back into your account and check the status. If it still shows "processing", wait another week or two — delays are common during busy periods.

If the status shows "refund sent" but you have not received the money, check your bank account carefully. The refund may have gone to a different account if you have changed banks since you last gave HMRC your details. You can update your bank details in your personal tax account.

If you have waited longer than 8 weeks and the status still shows "processing", or if you cannot find the refund in any of your accounts, contact HMRC. You can do this through your personal tax account by selecting "contact us", or by calling the helpline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to do anything if I am owed a small refund?

HMRC will not automatically send you a refund under £10. If you are owed less than this, you can ask HMRC to send it anyway by contacting them through your personal tax account or by phone. Otherwise, the amount will be held and offset against any tax you owe in future years.

Can I claim a refund for tax I paid in previous years?

Yes, but only going back 4 years. If you overpaid tax more than 4 years ago, you cannot claim it back. Contact HMRC as soon as you realise you have overpaid, as the time limit runs from the date you paid the tax.

What if I have moved abroad — can I still get a UK tax refund?

Yes, but the process is slightly different. You will need to contact HMRC directly to explain your situation, as you may no longer have access to your personal tax account. Call the helpline or write to HMRC with your National Insurance number and details of the refund you are claiming.

Do I have to pay someone to help me claim a refund?

No. HMRC's online service and helpline are free. You do not need to use an accountant or tax adviser to claim a refund, though you can if you prefer. Be cautious of companies that charge fees to claim refunds on your behalf — the refund belongs to you, and HMRC will not charge you to process it.

What if I disagree with HMRC's decision about my refund?

You can ask HMRC to review their decision. Contact them through your personal tax account or by phone and explain why you think the decision is wrong. If you remain unhappy, you can appeal to the Tax Tribunal, which is independent of HMRC. HMRC will explain the appeal process if you ask.