Last updated: 4 November 2026. General information for the 2026/27 tax year.
Thousands of people pay too much income tax every year without realising. Sometimes it’s a wrong tax code, sometimes it’s leaving a job partway through the year, and sometimes it’s work costs you could claim tax relief on but never have.
The good news is that HMRC refunds are free to claim yourself. You don’t need to pay a company to do it. This guide explains when you might be owed money, how to check, how to claim, and how to spot the fake “tax refund” messages that land in so many inboxes.
When might you be owed a tax refund?
According to GOV.UK, you may be able to claim a refund if you’ve paid too much tax on:
- Pay from your job, for example if you were on an emergency tax code
- Leaving a job partway through the tax year and not starting another one
- Work expenses you paid for yourself, such as uniforms, tools or professional fees
- Pension payments, including taking a lump sum from a pension (often taxed too much at first)
- Savings interest or PPI interest, where tax was taken off
- Foreign income that’s also taxed abroad
- Life or pension annuity payments
Some other common reasons:
- You had two jobs and your allowance was used twice wrongly
- You were made redundant and taxed too much on your final pay
- You were on the wrong tax code for months (see my guide on how to check your tax code)
- You pay into a pension through relief at source and you’re a higher rate taxpayer, but haven’t claimed the extra relief
If you’re on the State Pension and have had a tax letter you weren’t expecting, my post on the State Pension tax error refund explains what’s been happening.
How HMRC tells you about a refund: the P800
After the end of the tax year, HMRC checks whether employed people and pensioners paid the right amount of tax. If you paid too much (or too little), it may send you a P800 tax calculation.
- P800s are sent between June and the end of March after the tax year ends
- The letter tells you whether you can claim your refund online or if a cheque will be sent automatically
- If it says you can claim online, claim through GOV.UK, the HMRC app or your personal tax account, or contact HMRC to request a cheque; do not assume a cheque will be sent automatically
You don’t need to wait for a P800, though. You can check yourself.
How to check if you’re owed a refund
- Log in to the HMRC app or your personal tax account on GOV.UK.
- Look at “Pay As You Earn”, which shows your income and the tax you paid for each tax year.
- Check your tax codes for each job and pension. Were you on an emergency code?
- Look for a “tax calculation” for the last tax year. If HMRC has worked out you overpaid, it will show here.
You can also compare your P60 (the total tax you paid in a year) with what you’d expect to pay based on your income. My Personal Allowance guide shows the bands for 2026/27.
How to claim a tax refund (free)
How you claim depends on why you overpaid:
| Reason | How to claim |
|---|---|
| HMRC sent you a P800 | Follow the instructions in the letter, often online through your personal tax account |
| Left a job and not working | Use the online form on GOV.UK (or form P50) |
| Work expenses (uniform, tools, mileage) | Claim online through GOV.UK if your expenses are under £2,500 |
| Pension lump sum | Use the right form (P55, P53Z or P50Z) on GOV.UK, depending on your situation |
| Savings interest | Use form R40 |
| Self-employed or Self Assessment | It’s sorted in your Self Assessment tax return |
Time limit: you can usually claim for up to 4 years after the end of the tax year you overpaid in. So in the 2026/27 tax year, you can generally still go back as far as the 2022/23 tax year (until 5 April 2027).
Don’t pay a company: “tax refund” firms often take a big chunk of what you get back, sometimes 30% or more. HMRC claims are free, and the online process is straightforward for most people.
Work expenses you might be able to claim
If your employer doesn’t pay you back, you may be able to claim tax relief on:
- Uniforms and work clothing: washing, repairing or replacing a uniform. Many jobs have a flat-rate allowance, and the standard amount is £60 a year, which gives a basic rate taxpayer £12 back per year
- Professional fees and subscriptions on HMRC’s approved list (for example, some nursing, teaching or accountancy bodies)
- Business mileage in your own car, if your employer pays you less than the approved rate
- Tools you have to buy for work
Working from home: employees cannot claim this tax relief for the 2026/27 tax year onwards. You can still claim for eligible earlier tax years within the four-year claim limit; for those years, choosing to work from home does not qualify. Check the rules on GOV.UK before claiming.
You can usually backdate expense claims for up to 4 years too.
How to spot a fake tax refund scam
Tax refund scams are some of the most common in the UK. Criminals pretend to be HMRC and say you’re owed money, hoping you’ll hand over your bank details.
HMRC will never:
- Text or email you to say you’re owed a refund and ask you to click a link
- Ask for your bank or card details by email or text
- Leave a voicemail threatening arrest or court action
- Ask you to pay tax with gift cards or vouchers
Red flags:
- An email or text saying you’re “due a tax rebate of £xxx”
- A link to a website that looks like GOV.UK but isn’t (check the address carefully)
- Pressure to act quickly or lose the money
- A caller who asks you to confirm your bank details
What to do:
- Don’t click links or reply
- Forward suspicious emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk
- Forward suspicious texts to 60599 (or 7726 for any scam text)
- If you’ve given your bank details, call your bank straight away using the number on your card
- Report fraud to Action Fraud (or Police Scotland in Scotland)
The safe way: if you think you might be owed money, don’t use any link in a message. Go to GOV.UK yourself, or open the HMRC app, and check there. My guide to spotting fake deals and scams has more tips.
What happens if you underpaid instead?
Sometimes the check shows you paid too little. Don’t panic. If you’re employed or get a pension, HMRC usually collects it through your tax code the following year, as long as it’s under £3,000, so it’s spread out. If it’s more, or you’re in Self Assessment, HMRC will tell you how to pay. Contact HMRC early if you can’t afford it, as payment plans are available.
Tax refunds: people also ask
How do I know if HMRC owes me money?
Log in to the HMRC app or your personal tax account and look at your tax calculations for previous years. HMRC may also send you a P800 between June and March.
How far back can I claim a tax refund?
Usually up to 4 years from the end of the tax year you overpaid in.
Does HMRC text you about tax refunds?
No. HMRC doesn’t text or email to say you’re owed a refund with a link to click. Forward suspicious texts to 60599 and emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk.
How long does a tax refund take?
If you claim online after a P800, the money usually reaches your bank account within about 5 working days. Other claims can take longer. Check GOV.UK’s “when you can expect a reply” tool.
Should I use a tax refund company?
You don’t need to. Claiming directly from HMRC is free, and refund companies can keep a large share of your money.
Can I claim tax back on my uniform?
If you wear a uniform and have to wash, repair or replace it yourself, you can usually claim. Many jobs have a flat-rate allowance, and the standard is £60 a year.
Summary
- You could be owed money if you changed jobs, were on an emergency code, took a pension lump sum or paid for work costs.
- Check for free in the HMRC app or your personal tax account, and look out for aP800 from June to March.
- Claims go back 4 years, and you don’t need to pay a company.
- HMRC never texts or emails refund links. Report scams to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk or 60599.
Next step: make sure your tax code is right so it doesn’t happen again, or read my Personal Allowance guide.
General information only, not tax advice.
Sources (checked 4 November 2026): Official source for corrected claim · Official source for corrected claim · GOV.UK: claim a tax refund · GOV.UK: P800 tax calculation · GOV.UK: tax relief for employees · GOV.UK: uniforms and work clothing · GOV.UK: report HMRC phishing