To help fund course fees and living expenses, increasing numbers of students are working. The nature of such work is often erratic, fitted in around studies and exams, which can leave the tax system struggling to keep up with you.
For example, you might be:
- working in several jobs at once
- frequently moving from one job to another
- doing odd agency jobs
- working during your vacations
- doing a ‘sandwich’ course during which you work for a year
- working in business for yourself.
You might even be doing a combination of the above!
All of this means you can pay too much tax and have to claim a refund, even though you are careful. There is also a risk that you might not pay enough tax and be presented later with an unwelcome bill.
So it pays to make sure you know where you stand, to try to get it right first time and, if you have paid too much, make sure you claim your refund as soon as possible.
Use the menu on the left-hand side to find further guidance on tax and National Insurance contributions. Starting by working out whether you are Employed, self-employed or neither.
