How to Apply for a Tax Refund from HMRC

Millions of people paid too much tax in the last tax year which finished on April 5th.
Are you one of those people who are now entitled to a tax refund?
Read on and find out!

1)  Find your final Tax Code for 2014 / 2015
If you haven't had it already, your P60 (the end of year statement) detailing your earnings in the job you were in on 5th April should be handed to you soon (and legally you have to have it by 31st May).  
If you had more than 1 job on 5th April you should receive a P60 from each job as long as you earned more than £109 per week or £473 a month at least for one pay period.
  
On your P60 you will find your final tax code.  If you don't have your P60, dig out your final payslip from the last tax year or your P45 from the last job you had.  Is the tax code 944L with nothing after it?  In that case it is unlikely you are due anything back (but read on as it might be worth checking just in case!).

If the tax code has an X or a "month 1" after it, it is possible you may be due a tax refund.

2)  Is your code different to 944L and do you know why?  
Perhaps you had 2 or more jobs and your tax allowance was split.  Perhaps you paid Basic Rate (20%) tax at one job and had all of your taxable allowance at another.
Perhaps you received taxable benefits in your job (health care insurance etc).
Perhaps you receive a pension as well as income from your job.

If it is different and you don't know why, call HMRC on 0300 200 3300 and ask them to explain.

3)  Check the Figures
It's always worth checking the figures on your P60, even if your tax code seems to be correct.

HMRC have a useful tax calculator on their website.   

4)   Contact HMRC
If you think a refund is due, hopefully HMRC are already aware too, but it's definitely worth letting them know that you know as they are not fond of sending out cheques!
Give them a call on 0300 200 3300 and tell them that you think you have overpaid tax for the last tax year.


Alternatively, you can write to them instead and enclose a copy of your P60, final payslip or P45.  
Send the letter to: 

HM Revenue & Customs

Pay as You Earn

PO Box 1970

Liverpool

L75 1WX

If you would like a FREE draft letter to send, please send an email to info@zestpayroll.co.uk and I will send you one.


PLEASE REMEMBER:  
It is up to you to keep HMRC informed if you change your name or address.  
If you need to update your information visit: 

www.hmrc.gov.uk/report-changes/individual/name-address.htm

©    www.zestpayroll.co.uk          May 2014

Work Uniform Maintenance Tax Rebate

Have you worn a uniform as an Employee in the last 6 years?

Were you paying tax at that time?

Did you wash, mend or replace it yourself?

Then you could be eligible for a tax rebate!

If you have had to wear a uniform for work in the last 6 years and you are responsible for keeping that uniform washed and repaired, it is worth contacting HMRC to ask if you are eligible for a Work Uniform Maintenance tax rebate.

Even if your uniform doesn’t have a recognised logo but you only wear the clothes at work, it is worth putting a claim in.

I spotted this on www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/uniform-tax-rebate

Have a look at the original post for more information.

I have put together a couple of draft letters for people to download, edit and send to HMRC to make a claim.

If you currently wear a uniform and have had no other employment that you may be eligible to make a claim for in the last 6 years click HERE.

If you have had more than 1 job in the last 6 years where you have worn a uniform and may be eligible to make claims click HERE.

Please feel free to download, amend and send it to HMRC, but PLEASE let me know by commenting below and come back and tell me how you get on in a couple of weeks.

Good luck!

Check Your Tax Code - You May be due a Refund!

Many of you will be receiving your payslips today, but just how many of you actually pay attention to them?  You probably know roughly how much you take home each month, but when was the last time you checked your tax code?

747L 

The current “normal” tax code is 747L (which gives you a tax free annual allowance of £7,475).  Your tax code may differ from this for a number of reasons:

• You have more than one job.
• You receive employee benefits from your employer (or had done so from a previous employer) such as a company car or healthcare insurance for example.
• You have outstanding tax from previous tax years.
• You have started a new job and haven’t handed in a P45 or completed a P46 form.
• Your P45 from your previous job had the wrong code.
• You receive a pension along with your salary.

If you tax code does differ to the “normal” code but you don’t know why, get in touch with HMRC and tell them that you think your tax code may be wrong.  You can phone the Employee Helpline on 0845 300 0627.  They will be able to explain what has affected your code or be able to investigate.

Another thing to look out for is if your tax code has an "X" , “Month 1” or “Week 1” suffix after it.  This means that your previous earnings and tax paid in this tax year are not being taken into account.  This could be for a number of reasons.

Often, the suffix arises after you start a new job and you’ve completed a P46 form.  747L X is most commonly used in this situation as it’s the “emergency tax code”.  If it’s still on your payslip phone HMRC as ask them if a cumulative code can be issued as soon as possible. 

It is possible there is an error with your code and you have over paid tax.

If this is the case, ask HMRC to issue a P6 notice with the correct coding immediately to your Employer.  If they receive it before your payroll is run in March, you could have a nice tax refund in you March payslip!


Alternatively, if you think there is a problem with your tax code you can send a copy of your P60  when you receive it in April or May (or P45 if you leave your job before April 6th) to HMRC along with a covering letter to ask them to check your tax code and amount you have paid this year.  


Send it to the address on your most recent correspondence for HMRC or to:

HM Revenue & Customs

Pay As You Earn

PO Box 1970

Liverpool

L75 1WX

For more information about checking your tax code and a handy tax code checker, visit the Money Saving Expert site. 

You can also find useful info on the HMRC website.