P800 Tax Refund: What It Is and How to Claim Your Money Back

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If you have paid too much Income Tax through your wages or pension, you may be entitled to a tax refund from HMRC. You might receive a letter called a P800 telling you how much tax you have overpaid and explaining how to get your money back. In this guide, we explain what a P800 tax refund is, when you can expect your letter and how to claim your refund online.

What is a P800 tax refund?

A P800 tax refund is money you can get back from HMRC if you have paid more Income Tax than you should have during a tax year. HMRC checks the tax information it receives from employers, pension providers and other sources to work out whether you have paid the correct amount.

You might be entitled to a refund if your employer used the wrong tax code, you changed jobs during the year, you received more than one source of income or you worked for only part of the tax year.

A P800 is the tax calculation letter that explains whether you have overpaid or underpaid Income Tax. If HMRC calculates that you are owed money, your letter will explain how to claim it.

When can I expect my P800?

HMRC usually sends P800 tax calculation letters between June and March following the end of the tax year. For example, after the tax year ending on 5 April 2026, HMRC may send your P800 between June 2026 and March 2027.

You will not necessarily receive a letter as soon as the tax year ends because HMRC needs time to collect and check information about your income and the tax you have paid.

If you have not received your P800 yet, it does not automatically mean that you are not entitled to a refund. HMRC may still be checking your tax records, or it may have calculated that you paid the correct amount of tax.

You can check your Income Tax information through your HMRC Personal Tax Account or the HMRC app. If you believe you have overpaid tax but have not received a P800, you can contact HMRC to find out what to do next.

How do I claim my P800 tax refund online?

If your P800 confirms that you are due a refund, claiming online is usually the quickest way to receive your money. The exact process depends on the instructions in your letter, but you can normally claim through HMRC’s online refund service, your Personal Tax Account or the HMRC app.

To claim through the online service, follow these steps:

1. Open the official HMRC P800 tax refund service.
2. Check your P800 letter to confirm that HMRC says you are entitled to a refund.
3. Have your National Insurance number and the reference number from your P800 letter ready.
4. Follow the instructions to request your refund, usually by bank transfer or, where available, by cheque.
5. Check that the details you provide are correct before submitting your claim.

If you claim online using the bank transfer service, HMRC says you should receive your refund within five working days. If you request a cheque online, it can take up to six weeks.

Some people may receive a P800 stating that HMRC will automatically send a cheque. In that case, you generally do not need to make another claim, and the letter will explain what to expect.

Always use the official GOV.UK website rather than links in unexpected messages claiming that you are owed a refund.

How long does a P800 tax refund take to arrive?

The time it takes to receive your refund depends on how HMRC asks you to claim it.

If you claim through the online bank transfer service, HMRC says the payment should arrive within five working days. If you request a cheque online, you should normally allow up to six weeks. Where HMRC has told you that it will send a cheque automatically, the cheque should arrive within 14 days of the date on your letter.

These timescales apply after the relevant claim or letter has been issued, so you may need to wait longer if HMRC is still checking your tax calculation or processing your entitlement.

If your refund has not arrived within the expected period, check your online tax account and the instructions in your P800 before contacting HMRC.

Can I claim a P800 tax refund without a Government Gateway account?

You may be able to claim your refund without signing in to a Government Gateway account, depending on the service and the instructions in your P800 letter.

HMRC provides an online service that can allow you to request a refund using the reference number on your P800 and your National Insurance number. You can also use your Personal Tax Account or the HMRC app if you have access to them.

Make sure you are using the genuine GOV.UK service and never share your Government Gateway password or security codes with another person.

What should I do if my P800 tax calculation is wrong?

If you think your P800 contains incorrect information, you should contact HMRC before claiming the refund or accepting the calculation as correct.

For example, your letter may show the wrong employment income, omit a job you had during the year or include incorrect tax deductions. Compare the figures in your P800 with your payslips, P60, P45 and other relevant records.

Explain to HMRC which figures you believe are wrong and provide the correct information. HMRC can review the calculation and issue a revised one if it agrees that an error has been made.

If you are unsure how your tax has been calculated, getting professional help may make it easier to understand your position and identify any information that needs correcting.

Can I get a P800 tax refund if I am self-employed?

P800 letters are mainly used to reconcile Income Tax paid through employment or pensions under the PAYE system. If you are registered for Self Assessment, HMRC normally deals with any overpayment or underpayment through your Self Assessment tax account instead of sending you a P800.

For example, if you complete a Self Assessment tax return and have paid more tax than you owe, the refund will normally be handled through your Self Assessment account.

If you are returning to self-employment, it is important to make sure your HMRC records are correct and that you are registered for Self Assessment when required. Our guide to the SA100 Self Assessment tax return explains the main tax return form and the information it covers.

What should I do if I have not received a tax refund from HMRC?

If you believe you are owed a refund but have not received your money, first check your P800 letter to see whether you need to make a claim or whether HMRC will send a cheque automatically.

If you have already claimed online, allow the stated processing time before taking further action. Check your bank account details, your HMRC online account and any messages HMRC has sent you.

If the refund is delayed or you cannot understand what has happened, contact HMRC using the official contact details on GOV.UK. If your tax affairs are more complicated, an accountant or tax agent can help you review your records and communicate with HMRC on your behalf where properly authorised.

Final thoughts on P800 tax refund

A P800 tax refund is a straightforward way for HMRC to return Income Tax you have overpaid through your wages or pension, but receiving the letter does not always mean that the money will arrive automatically. In many cases, you need to follow the instructions and request your refund online.

Check your tax calculation carefully, use HMRC’s official online services and keep your P800 letter until the refund has been received. If you are self-employed or complete a Self Assessment tax return, your refund may be handled through your tax account rather than through a P800 letter.

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