You'll need to claim a refund through your online account
You can claim a refund through your HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) online account. The way you claim depends on the type of account you have.
You may not get a refund if you have tax due in the next 45 days (for example, for a payment on account). Instead, HMRC will deduct the money from the tax you owe.
HMRC will only pay refunds into UK bank accounts. If you do not have a bank account, you can sign into your tax account and nominate someone else to receive the money or cheque.
HMRC does not send details of tax refunds by email. You can report suspicious emails to them.
If you file Self Assessment online
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Sign in to your Self Assessment account to see if you’re owed a refund.
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Choose ‘Request a Repayment’ and follow the instructions.
If you have a personal tax account
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Sign in to your personal tax account to see if you’re owed a refund.
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Choose ‘Claim a tax refund’ and follow the instructions.
If you have a business tax account
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Sign in to your business tax account to see if you’re owed a refund.
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Choose ‘Claim a tax refund’ and follow the instructions.
When you’ll get your refund
You’ll usually get your refund within 2 weeks of making your claim.
While HMRC processes your refund, it may still show as available credit in your account. If you got a submission reference, do not request the refund again. This could cause a delay.
If you do not get your refund within 2 weeks
Security measures may cause a delay of up to 12 more weeks. Contact HMRC if you have not got your refund after waiting 14 weeks in total.
If you do not have an online account
You can either:
Your answers
- 1. What did you pay too much tax on?
- A Self Assessment tax return or bill
- Change 1. What did you pay too much tax on?
- 2. Did you apply for a refund when you completed your tax return?
- No
- Change 2. Did you apply for a refund when you completed your tax return?