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How to reclaim overpaid tax from HMRC

In short. Sign in to your HMRC personal tax account, check the tax summary for each year you may be owed, and claim a refund via the online service, an R40 form (savings interest) or P50 (stopped work). HMRC pays into your bank account; you can claim up to four tax years back.

HMRC will sometimes refund you automatically via a P800 letter, but often you need to ask. Never use a 'tax refund company' — they take 30–50% in fees for filling in the same free forms.

Last reviewed:

·Estimated time: 45 min·Cost: Free

What you'll need

  • Your National Insurance number
  • Government Gateway user ID
  • P60s, P45s or self-assessment records for the years in question
  • Bank account details for the refund

The steps

  1. 01

    Sign in to your HMRC personal tax account

    Go to gov.uk/personal-tax-account and sign in with your Government Gateway. If you don't have one, set it up — it takes about ten minutes and requires identity verification.

    Official link →

  2. 02

    Check your tax for each year

    Look at the 'Pay As You Earn' section for the last four tax years. If HMRC has issued a P800, the refund is usually offered directly. Otherwise, look for emergency tax codes, multiple jobs taxed at basic rate when you weren't earning enough overall, or unclaimed expenses.

  3. 03

    Choose the right route to claim

    Online via your tax account is fastest for general refunds. Use form R40 for tax overpaid on savings interest. Use form P50 if you've stopped working and won't earn again before the tax year ends. Use a P87 for work-related expenses.

    Official link →

  4. 04

    Submit the claim

    Fill in the relevant form online or post it to HMRC. Include all evidence — payslips, certificates of interest, receipts. Keep copies.

  5. 05

    Wait for the refund

    Online refunds are usually paid in 5–10 working days. Postal forms take longer (often 4–8 weeks). The refund is paid direct to your bank account — never click a link in a text message or email claiming to be a refund offer.

Common pitfalls

  • Never use a third-party tax refund agent — they charge a large cut for forms you can file free
  • HMRC never asks for bank or card details by text or email — those are scams
  • You can only claim back four tax years — use it or lose it

FAQ

How far back can I claim a tax refund?
Four tax years from the end of the tax year the overpayment was in. For example, in the 2025/26 tax year you can still claim back to the 2021/22 tax year.
I got a text saying I'm owed a refund — is it real?
No. HMRC does not text or email about refunds. Any text, email or call offering you a refund and asking you to click a link or give bank details is a scam. Forward suspicious texts to 60599 and emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk.
Will I get interest on a refund?
Yes, in some cases. HMRC pays 'repayment interest' on refunds that were caused by HMRC's delay or error, calculated from the date you paid the tax to the date of the refund.
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