How to claim a tax refund from HMRC in 2026 — step by step

HMRC processes over 5 million tax refunds every year. The average overpayment is around £35, but for people who've been on the wrong tax code, had multiple jobs, or left work mid-year, refunds can run into hundreds or even thousands of pounds. The problem is that HMRC doesn't always issue these refunds automatically — in many cases you have to ask.

Here's every route to claiming back overpaid tax in 2026, depending on your circumstances.

First: how do you know if you're owed a refund?

You may have overpaid tax if any of these apply:

• You were on an emergency tax code (BR, 0T, W1/M1) at any point in the year
• You changed jobs and your new employer applied the wrong code
• You stopped working mid-year but paid tax as if earning all year
• Your income dropped but your tax code wasn't updated quickly enough
• You have taxable savings interest that was overestimated in your code
• You claimed marriage allowance or blind person's allowance late

The quickest way to check: log into your HMRC Personal Tax Account. Under "Tax Year Overview" you'll see whether HMRC calculates you as having paid the right amount, underpaid, or overpaid.

Route 1: HMRC P800 notice (automatic)

After each tax year ends, HMRC reconciles PAYE records for all employees and issues a P800 Tax Calculation to those it believes have overpaid or underpaid. If you're owed a refund, you should receive a P800 letter between June and November following the end of the tax year.

Your P800 will tell you:

• How much you're owed
• Whether you can claim online (in which case the money arrives within 5 working days)
• Whether HMRC will send a cheque automatically (which takes up to 45 days)

If you receive a P800, act on it quickly — the online claim option is only available for a limited time.

Route 2: Claim through your Personal Tax Account

Don't wait for a P800. Log into your HMRC Personal Tax Account (gov.uk/personal-tax-account) and go to "Check your Income Tax." If HMRC's records show an overpayment, you'll be able to claim it directly — typically receiving the refund within 5 working days to your bank account.

You'll need your:

• Government Gateway user ID and password (or create one)
• National Insurance number
• UK bank account details for the refund

Route 3: Form R40 (investment or savings income refund)

If you've had tax deducted from savings interest, PPI compensation, or investment income and you believe the deduction was wrong, use form R40. This applies if:

• Your total income is below the personal allowance (£12,570) — you shouldn't owe any tax
• You're a basic rate taxpayer and had tax deducted at higher rates
• You had tax deducted from savings interest that falls within the Personal Savings Allowance

R40 can be submitted online or by post. HMRC processes it within around 8 weeks.

Route 4: Form P50 (stopped working, refund in-year)

If you've left employment and don't expect to work again before the end of the tax year, you can claim a refund in-year rather than waiting until April. You must have been unemployed for at least 4 weeks and not be receiving Jobseeker's Allowance or other taxable benefits.

Submit form P50 online or by post, along with your P45 from your last employer. HMRC will refund any tax calculated as overpaid.

Route 5: Self Assessment tax return

If you file a Self Assessment return (because you're self-employed, have rental income, or earn over £100,000), any refund is calculated automatically when you file. If your return shows you've overpaid, HMRC can refund you via your Personal Tax Account or you can leave it as a credit toward next year's bill.

Route 6: Repayment claim for previous years

You can claim overpaid tax going back up to 4 tax years. For example, in June 2026 you can still claim refunds from tax years 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25, and 2025/26. Use your Personal Tax Account for recent years; older claims may require a form R38 by post.

Tax refund companies: should you use one?

A number of companies advertise tax refund services. They typically take 25–48% of your refund as their fee — for a service you can do yourself for free in under 15 minutes via HMRC's own website. Avoid them unless your claim is unusually complex and you've been unable to resolve it yourself.

Some refund companies have also been found to submit claims on behalf of people without their knowledge, using assignment-of-income forms buried in sign-up pages. HMRC has issued warnings about this practice. Never sign anything you haven't read in full.

Frequently asked questions

How long does HMRC take to process a refund?

Online claims via Personal Tax Account: typically 5 working days. Cheque payments: up to 45 days. Postal claims (R40, R38): up to 8–12 weeks.

Will I be taxed on a refund?

No. A tax refund is the return of your own money — it is not income and is not taxable.

What if HMRC says I don't have an overpayment but I think I do?

Gather your evidence: payslips, P60s, P45s, and any HMRC correspondence. Call HMRC on 0300 200 3300 and work through it agent by agent. If you're still stuck, a free tax clinic (available through Citizens Advice or ICAEW Tax Help for Older People) can help you present the case.

Can I get a refund if I've only just noticed an error from 3 years ago?

Yes — you have 4 years from the end of the relevant tax year to make a claim. For 2021/22, the deadline is 5 April 2026. Don't leave it too long.

Check whether your current payslip deductions look right using our free payslip checker, or run your full-year figures through our overpaying tax calculator.