Calculator
UK PAYE Tax Refund Estimator
Emergency tax codes, multiple employments, and mid-year job changes frequently leave employees overpaying HMRC through PAYE. This estimator calculates your approximate correct UK income tax bill using 2025/26 rates, compares it to what was actually deducted, and indicates whether a refund is likely. HMRC allows claims for overpaid tax going back four tax years.
Have you overpaid UK income tax?
Emergency tax codes, multiple jobs, allowable expenses and mid-year job changes can all leave you overpaying HMRC. Enter your figures and we'll estimate whether a UK tax refund is likely. HMRC allows you to reclaim overpayments going back four tax years.
Your total gross salary from all UK employers in the tax year. Check your P60 or payslips.
From your P60 or payslips for the year.
Freelance income, rental income, savings interest above your PSA, dividends. Leave blank if none.
Leave blank if contributions are via salary sacrifice (already deducted from gross).
Professional subscriptions, work equipment, uniform/PPE. Not commuting costs.
Does any of the following apply?
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Frequently asked questions
Common reasons: an emergency tax code applied when starting a new job; two jobs simultaneously both using the full personal allowance; stopping work part-way through the year; or allowable expenses not included in your tax code.
HMRC sometimes issues refunds automatically, but you can claim proactively via a P800, R40 form, or Self Assessment return. HMRC allows claims going back four tax years.
An emergency tax code (1257L W1/M1 or 0T) is applied when HMRC lacks your current tax information. It taxes each pay period without the benefit of allowances accumulated earlier in the year, often resulting in over-deduction.
Sometimes yes. If income exceeds £100,000, untaxed income exceeds £1,000, or other Self Assessment triggers apply, a return is required. For straightforward PAYE employees, HMRC may process the refund without a full return.
Yes. If you claimed a Foreign Tax Credit for the UK tax paid and then receive a refund, that amount is no longer available as a credit. You may need to amend a prior US return or adjust the following year's FTC calculation.
Think HMRC owes you money?
Claiming overpaid tax — especially for prior years or alongside a Self Assessment obligation — is easiest with a specialist. Book a consultation and we will confirm the position and file the claim for you.