Form

Claim an Income Tax refund

Claim an Income Tax refund by post or nominate someone else to receive the refund on your behalf using form R38.

Documents

Claim using a print and post form

Read the accessibility statement for HMRC forms.

Details

You can use this form to:

  • claim a refund if you’ve overpaid tax
  • nominate someone else to get the payment on your behalf

There are also other Income Tax refund forms you can use depending on your reasons for making a claim.

Form R38 is not required alongside an Income Tax refund form containing a completed nomination section.

Before you start

If you are not sure you are due a refund, you can:

To complete this form, you’ll need:

  • your National Insurance number
  • your Self Assessment Unique Taxpayer Reference (if you complete a Self Assessment tax return)
  • your employer PAYE reference (if you have one – you can find this on your P60)
  • details of the tax year you want to claim overpaid tax for (the tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April)
  • the name of the person you want the repayment to be made to
  • the address of the person you want the repayment to be made to

How to use the print and post form

You will fill this form in online and you cannot save your progress. It is best to get all of your information together before you start.

If the form does not open, contact online services for more help.

Email HMRC to ask for this form in Welsh.

Updates to this page

Published 15 August 2014
Last updated 15 March 2024 + show all updates
  1. Added information required to complete form R38. Guidance included for those who are not sure if they are due a refund. Form R38 is not required alongside an Income Tax refund form containing a completed nomination section.

  2. First published.

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