Tax Refunds: How to Claim Back Overpaid Tax

Why You Might Have Overpaid

Common reasons for paying too much tax include:^[1]

Your tax code was wrong — HMRC used an incorrect code, so too much was deducted from your pay
You stopped working part-way through the year
You started receiving a pension and were emergency taxed
You paid tax on a redundancy payment that should have been tax-free
You didn’t claim allowable expenses you were entitled to
You made payments on account that exceeded your actual tax liability

How to Check If You’re Owed a Refund

Sign into your Personal Tax Account on GOV.UK. It shows your current tax position, whether you’ve overpaid, and any refund due.^[2]

Claiming a PAYE Refund

If you pay tax through PAYE (employment or pension), HMRC should automatically refund you after the end of the tax year when they do their reconciliation. If they don’t, you can:^[1]

Check your tax code and update your details in your Personal Tax Account
Contact HMRC Income Tax helpline
Write to HMRC if you prefer

Claiming Through Self Assessment

If you file a Self Assessment return online, any overpayment is shown when your return is processed. HMRC will:^[4]

Send the refund directly to your bank account (if they have your details)
Send a cheque (payable order) if they don’t have bank details
Offset it against any other tax you owe

Time Limits

You can claim a refund for overpaid tax going back up to 4 years from the end of the tax year. For example, during 2025/26, you could claim as far back as 2021/22.^[1]

Watch out for scams: HMRC will never email, text, or call you to tell you about a tax refund. If you receive such a message, it’s a scam. Always go directly to GOV.UK.

How Long Does It Take?

Refund processing times vary:^[3]

Self Assessment refund: Usually within 5–6 weeks of filing
PAYE refund: May take up to 12 weeks from the claim
Automatic reconciliation refund: Usually received between June and November after the tax year ends

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if HMRC owes me a tax refund?

Sign in to your Personal Tax Account on GOV.UK. It shows your current tax position, whether you have overpaid, and any refund due. Common reasons include a wrong tax code, stopping work mid-year, or emergency tax on pension withdrawals.

How far back can I claim a tax refund?

You can claim a refund for overpaid tax going back up to 4 years from the end of the tax year in which the overpayment occurred.

How long does a tax refund take from HMRC?

Self Assessment refunds usually arrive within 5–6 weeks of filing. PAYE refund claims can take up to 12 weeks. Automatic year-end reconciliation refunds are typically sent between June and November.

Will HMRC email me about a tax refund?

No. HMRC will never email, text, or call you to tell you about a tax refund. Any such message is a scam. Always go directly to GOV.UK to check your tax position.

Sources

Claim a tax refund — GOV.UK
Check your Income Tax for the current year — GOV.UK
Income Tax: general enquiries — GOV.UK
Self Assessment tax returns — GOV.UK