Calculate Your Income Tax Refund
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I claim a tax refund from HMRC?
If HMRC owes you a refund they will usually send a P800 tax calculation after the end of the tax year. If you do not receive one you can claim online via your Personal Tax Account, by phone, or by submitting an R40 form (for savings/investment tax). Self Assessment taxpayers claim via their annual return.
What is an emergency tax code and why does it cause overpayment?
Emergency tax codes (such as 1257L M1 or BR) are used when HMRC does not yet have your correct income details. They can result in too much tax being deducted — for example the BR code taxes all income at 20% with no personal allowance applied.
How far back can I reclaim overpaid income tax?
You can reclaim overpaid income tax going back up to four tax years. For the 2025-26 tax year you can claim back to 2021-22. Claims older than four years are usually time-barred.
What is the personal allowance for 2025-26?
The personal allowance is £12,570 for 2025-26 (unchanged since 2021-22 due to the freeze). This means the first £12,570 of income is tax-free. The allowance reduces by £1 for every £2 of income above £100,000.
How long does a tax refund take from HMRC?
Online claims via Personal Tax Account are usually processed within 5 working days. Postal claims (P50, R40) can take up to 8 weeks. Refunds via Self Assessment are typically issued within 2-3 weeks of filing online.