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Tax refunds

Updated on 12 April 2023

Students

As a student it is likely that as well as being busy with your studies you are juggling working part-time, whether that is in one or more jobs or maybe having different jobs during the vacations.

It is often the case that students who are working end up with complicated tax affairs. This can be brought about by changing jobs regularly and possibly working in more than one part-time job at a time. Sometimes this results in your tax affairs not being as up to date with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) as they should be, which can then lead to employers using incorrect Pay As You Earn codes on your payslips and as a consequence you could end up paying too much tax.

Alternatively, you may have received other income that has had tax deducted from it and you want to reclaim some or all of that tax.

Illustration of a woman in front of tax documents and a calculator

What information and help can I use to claim a tax refund?

If you think you may have overpaid your tax then you will want to reclaim the overpayment as soon as possible, and by the cheapest method possible – by contacting HMRC yourself. Make sure they have your correct address or the refund might be sent to the wrong place.

In our Tax basics section, we provide information and help to encourage you to try and claim a tax refund yourself. The section covers:

  • How do I claim back tax I have overpaid through PAYE on wages or pensions?
  • How do I claim back tax if I complete a tax return?
  • How do I claim back tax on savings income?
  • How do I claim back tax on a payment protection insurance (PPI) pay-out?

If you are thinking of using a tax refund company to help submit your tax repayment claim, then we explain what you should consider when working out whether it is the best option for you.

Tax guides

Introduction to the tax system How do I work out my tax? What income is taxable? What tax allowances am I entitled to? What tax rates apply to me? How is my tax collected? What if I cannot pay my tax bill? Do I need to complete a tax return? Self Assessment: understanding the basics What is Simple Assessment? How do I claim tax back? How do I claim back tax I have overpaid through PAYE on wages or pensions? How do I claim back tax if I complete a tax return? How do I claim back tax if I am taxed under the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS)? How do I claim back tax on savings income? How do I claim a marriage allowance refund? How do I claim back tax on a payment protection insurance (PPI) pay-out? Should I use a tax refund company? What is National Insurance? How do I get a National Insurance number? What are Specified Adult Childcare credits? What is Scottish income tax? What is devolution? Do I have to pay Scottish income tax? How does Scottish income tax work? What is Welsh income tax? Do I have to pay Welsh income tax? Do I have to join a pension scheme? Tax relief on your pension contributions HMRC digital services Enquiries, penalties, appeals, complaints and debt Enquiries How to survive an enquiry by HMRC Tax penalties Tax appeals Alternative Dispute Resolution How do I complain to HMRC? What if I cannot pay my tax bill? What if I have a tax credits overpayment?
Am I employed, self-employed, both or neither? Working through a limited company What is the national minimum wage? How do I work out my tax? What income is taxable? What tax allowances am I entitled to? What tax rates apply to me? How is my tax collected? How is tax collected on taxable state benefits? How do I check my coding notice? Do I need to complete a tax return? What tax do I pay on redundancy payments?Employment benefits and expenses What are benefits-in-kind? What payments and benefits are non taxable? What if I incur expenses in relation to my job? What travel expenses can I claim? What if I use my own car for business purposes? Payroll giving Allowances and expenses paid to armed forces personnel and deductions from their income Pensions and employees What is automatic enrolment for employees? What National Insurance do I pay as an employee? How do I repay my student loan? What if I do not pay enough tax? What if I pay too much tax? What if I work abroad temporarily? What if I am in the armed forces and work overseas? First time workers Apprenticeships

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