Brits are being reminded to verify whether they are entitled to any refunds. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has cautioned that approximately one million individuals annually neglect to reclaim tax they have overpaid.
“Last year, almost one million people didn’t claim back the money they’re owed. Download the HMRC app to check.”
The GOV.UK website clarifies that HMRC ought to notify you should you have overpaid tax. If by the end of the tax year (5 April) you have paid either too much or too little tax, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will send either:
- A tax calculation letter (also known as a P800)
- A Simple Assessment letter
This correspondence should detail the process for obtaining a refund or settling any outstanding tax.
You’ll only get a letter if:
- You are employed
- You get a pension
But if you’re registered for Self Assessment, your bill will be adjusted automatically if you’ve underpaid or overpaid tax. You will not get a tax calculation letter or a Simple Assessment letter.
These letters are typically sent out between June and March of the following tax year.
Why you might have overpaid
You might be owed a refund because you:
If you think you have paid too much tax and HMRC has not sent you a tax calculation letter, you should claim a refund. You can do this online here, on the app, or by calling 0300 200 3300.
The HMRC app
The HMRC app can be used not only to check if you’re owed any tax but you can use it to:
- Get an estimate of the tax you need to pay
- Make a Self Assessment payment
- Make a Simple Assessment payment
- Set a reminder to make a Self Assessment payment
- Access your Help to Save account
- Use our tax calculator to work out your take home pay after Income Tax and National Insurance deductions
- Track forms and letters you have sent to HMRCX
- Ask HMRC’s digital assistant for help and information
- Update your name
- Update your address
- Save your National Insurance number to your digital wallet
- Check for gaps in your National Insurance contributions and the benefits of paying them
- Check if you can make a payment for gaps in your National Insurance contributions
- Choose to be contacted by HMRC electronically, instead of by letter
To access the app open the app and enter your Government Gateway user ID and password to sign in for the first time. If you do not have a user ID, you can create one via the app.