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Tax Refund Claim Checklist
Why HMRC might owe you money, how to claim it, and the deadline for each tax year. Covers emergency tax codes, stopping work part-way through the year, pension withdrawals and work expenses.
Claim only through GOV.UK. HMRC does not send emails or texts with links to claim a refund, and claiming is free. Refund-claim companies charge a fee for something you can do yourself.
What’s Included
- Seven common refund situations and the claim route for each (P800, P50, P55, P87, Self Assessment, Marriage Allowance).
- What to gather before you start, so a claim is not rejected for missing details.
- Claim deadlines for each tax year from 2022/23 to 2026/27.
- A quick action checklist to stop you missing the oldest year.
Why This Matters for 2026/27
- A wrong tax code is the single most common cause of overpaid PAYE, and most people never check theirs.
- The four-year limit is strict. In 2026/27 the 2022/23 tax year drops out on 5 April 2027.
- Claiming yourself on GOV.UK is free, and HMRC will not ask you to click a link in an email or text to get a refund.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally four years after the end of the tax year the tax was paid. In 2026/27 the oldest year you can still claim is 2022/23, and that window closes on 5 April 2027.
HMRC puts you on an emergency code when it does not have your details, for example when you start a job without a P45. A code ending W1, M1 or X means tax is worked out on each pay period alone, which can over-tax you until HMRC sends the right code.
Sometimes. After the tax year ends HMRC reconciles PAYE records and sends a P800 if you overpaid, but this does not cover every situation, so it is worth checking your own record.
It is free to download. It is general guidance, not tax advice. Check GOV.UK or ask a qualified adviser about your own circumstances.