How to claim a tax refund from HMRC

Save Your MoneyUpdated UK Finance

Plenty of UK workers pay too much tax without realising, usually because of a wrong tax code, a job change part-way through the year or work expenses they never claimed. Claiming back what is yours is free and straightforward, so there is no need to pay a company to do it for you.

Common Reasons for Tax Overpayment

You might be owed a refund if any of these apply.

  • Emergency tax code after starting a new job
  • Incorrect tax code that wasn't noticed (check your tax code)
  • Working-from-home tax relief for past years (employee relief ended on 6 April 2026, but you can still claim for 2022/23 to 2025/26 if you qualified)
  • Uniform and work clothing: HMRC sets flat-rate amounts that vary by job, or you can claim actual costs
  • Professional subscriptions and fees
  • Pension contributions not claimed through PAYE
  • Only worked part of the tax year (job change, redundancy, maternity leave)

How to Check If You're Owed Money

Log into your HMRC Personal Tax Account at gov.uk. Review your tax records for the last 4 years. Check your P60 (annual tax summary) against what you should have paid based on your earnings and allowances. HMRC sometimes issues automatic refunds by cheque — check if one was sent and you missed it.

Claiming Your Refund

Most refund claims can be made online through your HMRC personal tax account or the HMRC app. Claims for job expenses, such as uniform, professional fees or past working-from-home costs, are made online on gov.uk; if you file a Self Assessment return, claim through that instead. For an incorrect tax code, check and update your details in your personal tax account or call HMRC. Never pay a third-party tax refund company: they take a cut of your refund for something you can do yourself for free.

What to Do With Your Refund

A tax refund is found money — put it to work. Add it to your emergency fund, pay down debt, or deposit it into an ISA. And if an expense is ongoing, such as professional fees, ask HMRC to adjust your tax code so you get the relief through your pay from now on.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far back can I claim a tax refund?
You can claim overpaid tax going back 4 years from the current tax year. So in 2026/27, you can claim back to 2022/23.
How long does a refund take?
It varies with the type of claim and how busy HMRC is; HMRC publishes expected processing times on gov.uk. Refunds are paid into your bank account, by cheque, or through a change to your tax code.
Should I use a tax refund company?
No. They take a share of your refund for something you can do for free on gov.uk or in the HMRC app.
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