If you are – or were – an expat living in a foreign country, it’s not uncommon for you to feel overwhelmed by an entirely new tax system. Many expats who have lived and worked in the UK don’t know that they could be due a tax refund, let alone how to claim it. Here we explain the two ways to claim back your UK tax refund.
What is a tax refund?
A tax refund is a repayment of PAYE tax that you have overpaid during the tax year. You might be eligible for a tax refund if:
- You’ve only worked for part of a tax year
- You’ve worked for more than one employer in a tax year
- You’ve had two or more jobs at the same time
- You’ve been taxed on a basic rate tax code
- You’ve left the UK before the end of the tax year (6 April – 5 April the following year)
- You’ve been on an incorrect tax code at any point in the last five years
In order to get your tax refund, you need to claim through an agency or take the solo route by claiming through HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). The route you choose to claim your refund depends completely on your personal preference and what works best for you.