Where your refund comes from depends on what you overpaid
A UK tax refund happens when you've paid more income tax than you owed during the tax year. This can occur if your employer took too much from your pay, you worked for multiple employers and didn't get your full personal allowance spread across all of them, or you're self-employed and made a loss. The refund comes from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), not from your employer or bank.
If you're an international visitor or non-resident claiming back VAT on goods you're taking out of the UK, that's a different process handled at the airport or port — this article covers income tax refunds for people who worked in the UK during a tax year and overpaid.
The route you take depends on whether HMRC already knows you overpaid (they often do) or whether you need to tell them.
Key Takeaways
- HMRC often spots overpayments automatically and sends you a refund without you asking, usually within four to six weeks of the end of the tax year.
- If you worked for one employer only and overpaid, check your P60 form (issued by January 31st after the tax year ends) to see if a refund is already being processed.
- You can claim a refund yourself by contacting HMRC online, by phone, or by post if they haven't already issued one.
- Self-employed people and those with multiple jobs may need to file a Self Assessment tax return to claim back overpaid tax.
- Refunds typically arrive within four to six weeks of HMRC receiving your claim, though complex cases can take longer.
Check if HMRC has already spotted the overpayment
HMRC's systems are designed to catch overpayments automatically. If you worked for a single employer and your tax code was correct, they usually process a refund without you needing to do anything. You'll receive a letter in the post telling you a refund is on the way, or you may see it credited directly to your bank account.
Your P60 form, which your employer must send you by January 31st after the tax year ends, shows the total tax you paid. If the amount in the "Tax paid" box is higher than it should be based on your income, a refund is likely already in progress. You can also check your personal tax account on the HMRC website if you have one set up.
If you're waiting for a refund and it's been more than six weeks since the end of the tax year (April 5th), or if you can see from your P60 that you overpaid but haven't heard from HMRC, you can contact them to ask about the status.
How to claim a refund if HMRC hasn't already issued one
You have three ways to tell HMRC about an overpayment: online through your personal tax account, by phone, or by post. Online is fastest if you have a Government Gateway account set up.
Online: Log into your personal tax account on the HMRC website. You'll see a section for "Income tax" where you can report underpayment or overpayment. You'll need your National Insurance number and details of your income and tax paid. HMRC will usually respond within four to six weeks.
By phone: Call the HMRC Income Tax helpline on 0300 200 3300. Have your National Insurance number, P60 form, and payslips ready. They can take details over the phone and tell you roughly when to expect a refund. This route is slower than online — expect four to eight weeks.
By post: Write to HMRC with your name, address, National Insurance number, and details of the tax you paid (from your P60 or payslips). Send it to the address shown on any HMRC letters you've received. Postal claims take longer — typically six to eight weeks or more.
Self-employed people and multiple-job situations
If you're self-employed or worked for more than one employer in the same tax year, you'll usually need to file a Self Assessment tax return to claim back overpaid tax. This is because HMRC can't automatically calculate your correct tax liability across multiple income sources.
You can file a Self Assessment return online through your personal tax account or by post. The important date to file for the 2023–24 tax year is January 31st, 2025. If you file online, HMRC will calculate any refund due and tell you the amount. If you file by post, it takes longer — typically eight to twelve weeks for HMRC to process and issue a refund.
If you've never filed a Self Assessment return before, you need to register with HMRC first. You can do this online using your National Insurance number, or by calling the Self Assessment helpline on 0300 200 3310.
What documents you'll need
| Route | Documents needed |
|---|---|
| Online claim (single employer) | National Insurance number, P60 form, bank details for refund |
| Phone claim (single employer) | National Insurance number, P60 form, payslips |
| Self Assessment return (self-employed or multiple jobs) | National Insurance number, income records, expense records (if self-employed), P60 or payslips from all employers |
| Postal claim | National Insurance number, P60 form, covering letter with your address and bank details |
Your P60 is the most important document — it shows exactly how much tax you paid. If you've lost it, you can ask your employer for a duplicate, or HMRC can provide a copy if you contact them.
How long refunds take and where the money goes
Once HMRC receives your claim, refunds typically arrive within four to six weeks. Online claims are usually processed faster than postal ones. Self Assessment returns filed online are processed within four to six weeks if there are no queries; postal returns take eight to twelve weeks.
HMRC will pay the refund directly into the bank account you provide. Make sure the account details are correct — if you give a wrong sort code or account number, the money may be returned to HMRC and the process will restart. If you don't have a UK bank account, you can ask HMRC to send a cheque instead, though this takes longer.
If your refund is taking longer than expected, you can contact HMRC to check the status. Have your National Insurance number and the date you submitted your claim ready.
What can delay or prevent a refund
HMRC may hold back a refund if you owe money to them from a previous tax year, if you have an outstanding Self Assessment bill, or if there's a discrepancy in your records. They'll write to you explaining why the refund is delayed and what you need to do.
If you've claimed Child Benefit, HMRC may use your refund to offset the High Income Child Benefit charge (a tax that applies if your income is over £50,000). This is legal and automatic — you can't prevent it, but HMRC will explain it in their letter.
If you're not a UK resident or your visa status has changed, HMRC may need additional information before processing a refund. Contact them directly if you think this applies to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim a refund for a tax year that ended more than four years ago?
Yes, but only if you have a valid reason — for example, if you didn't know you'd overpaid or if HMRC made an error. You can claim back up to four years in most cases. Contact HMRC directly to discuss your situation, as the rules vary depending on your circumstances.
What if I left the UK and no longer have a UK bank account?
HMRC can send a cheque to an address outside the UK, or you can ask them to pay into a UK account if you still have access to one. Contact them by phone or post to arrange this — you'll need to provide your address abroad and confirm how you want to receive the money.
Do I need to pay tax on the refund itself?
No. A tax refund is money you overpaid; it's not new income, so you don't pay tax on it. HMRC will send you the full amount you're owed.
How do I know if my claim has been received?
If you claimed online, you'll get an when ready confirmation on screen. If you called, ask for a reference number. If you posted your claim, keep a copy and consider sending it by recorded delivery so you have proof of posting. You can call HMRC to check the status using your National Insurance number.
What if HMRC says I owe money instead of getting a refund?
This can happen if your tax code was wrong or if you had income HMRC didn't know about. HMRC will explain what you owe and give you time to pay. You can appeal if you think the calculation is wrong — contact them within 30 days of the letter.