How to use the tax refund calculator
- 1 Enter your taxable pay for the tax year so far, from your latest payslip or P45.
- 2 Enter the income tax deducted so far.
- 3 Choose how many months of the tax year have passed since 6 April.
- 4 Say whether you have stopped work or are still working, and where you live.
Worked example
You earned £18,000 from April to October, paid £3,200 tax on an emergency code, then stopped work for the rest of the tax year. With the full £12,570 personal allowance, tax due is 20% of £5,430 = £1,086, so you overpaid £2,114. If instead you were still working on £17,500 so far in a £30,000 job, the tax due for seven months is £2,033.50 and £2,100 paid means a small £66.50 overpayment.
Getting your tax back
- Keep your P45 and P60: they show pay and tax for each job.
- Claim directly from HMRC: it is free through your personal tax account.
- Check your tax code each time you start a job.
- Claim work expenses: uniforms, tools and professional fees.
Check your code with the Tax Code Calculator, your yearly tax with the Income Tax Calculator, and mileage claims with the Mileage Allowance Calculator.
Features
PAYE check
Compares tax paid with tax due on the same pay.
Leavers and students
Gives the full personal allowance if you have no more income this tax year.
Scottish rates
Uses the six Scottish bands from 19% to 48%.
When to use it
Emergency tax
See how much you may get back after being taxed on an emergency code. Check your code with the Tax Code Calculator.
Leaving a job mid-year
Students and people who stop work often get money back. See your pay in a new job with the Take-Home Pay Calculator.
Bonus months
A large bonus can be over-taxed in one month. See the effect with the Bonus Tax Calculator.
Work expenses
Uniform, mileage and professional fees can also give refunds. Mileage claims are in the Mileage Allowance Calculator.
Related Tax tasks
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I am due a tax refund?
You may be due a refund if you were on an emergency tax code, changed or left a job part-way through the year, were paid a large bonus, or paid for work expenses yourself. Compare the tax you paid with the tax due on your total pay.
How do I claim a tax refund from HMRC?
If you are still working, HMRC usually corrects it through your tax code. If you have stopped work and will not work again this tax year, you can claim using form P50 or online through your personal tax account. HMRC also checks at the end of the tax year and sends a P800.
What is an emergency tax code?
Codes such as 1257L W1, M1 or X tell your employer to tax each payment on its own, without using allowance from earlier months. They are used when HMRC does not have your details, and often cause too much tax to be taken.
How long does a tax refund take?
Online claims for the current year are often paid within a few weeks, sometimes faster. Refunds after a P800 calculation usually arrive within about five weeks.
Can I claim refunds for earlier years?
Yes, for the last four tax years. Claims for 2022/23 must be made by 5 April 2027.
Do I pay tax on a tax refund?
No. A refund is your own money returned. HMRC may add interest on late refunds, which can be taxable.
Should I use a tax refund company?
You do not need to. Claiming directly from HMRC is free, while refund companies often charge 20% to 40% of the refund.
What if the calculator says I owe tax?
An underpayment is usually collected through next year's tax code, spread over the year, if it is under £3,000 and you are employed.
Is the result exact?
It is an estimate based on your figures. It does not include other income such as benefits, savings interest or a second job, which can change the answer.
Results are estimates based on the official rates linked above. Confirm important figures with the issuing authority or a qualified adviser before you act on them.
Built and reviewed by Hamza Farooq, founder and lead developer
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