Check how to claim a tax refund
How to claim a refund on a private pension
Your pension provider may pay you back automatically if you pay too much tax on your pension.
If your pension provider does not pay you back automatically, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will send you a tax calculation letter (known as a ‘P800’) by 30 November 2025.
If your tax calculation letter says you can get your refund online, claim it that way.
If it says HMRC will send you a cheque (also known as a ‘payable order’) you’ll receive it within 14 days. If you’re owed tax from more than one year you’ll get a single cheque for the entire amount.
HMRC does not send notifications of tax refunds by email. You can report suspicious emails to them.
Call HMRC and tell them why you think you’ve overpaid if:
- your pension provider does not pay you back automatically and you need a refund within the current tax year
- you have not received a tax calculation letter
Your answers
- 2. Which type of pension did you pay too much tax on?
- A private pension
- Change 2. Which type of pension did you pay too much tax on?
- 3. What did you pay too much tax on?
- The regular income from your pension
- Change 3. What did you pay too much tax on?