Guide
How to Claim Back Overpaid Tax
Overpaid tax often comes from emergency tax, a wrong tax code, or leaving a job mid-year.
Quick answer
Start by checking whether the current payslip tax looks high because of the code, not just because of your salary.
What to check
- Compare the code on the payslip with your HMRC record.
- Check if this was the first month of a new job.
- Check if you received a one-off bonus or irregular payment.
What to do next
- Run the checker first so you know whether the deduction looks unusual.
- If the code is wrong, ask payroll to use the updated HMRC code.
- If you have already left the job, HMRC may repay separately instead of via payroll.
Try the tool
Use the checker if you already have a payslip. Use the calculator if you want to model take-home pay or salary-sacrifice changes before payday.