Here’s how to check if you’re owed a tax refund using the HMRC appHMRC urged people to check if they’re owed money(Image: Getty)Brits have been urged to check whether they’re owed any money. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has warned that up to one million people annually fail to claim back overpaid tax.In a post on social media platform X, HMRC encouraged people to use its app to check. It said: “Could you be one of the million missing out on a tax refund?”Log onto the HMRC app to easily manage your money and claim any tax you’re owed. Download today”.On the GOV.UK website it explains that HMRC should contact you if you’ve overpaid tax. If you’ve paid too much or too little tax by the end of the tax year (5 April), HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will send you either:A tax calculation letter (also known as a P800)A Simple Assessment letterContent cannot be displayed without consentThis should inform you how to receive a refund or pay tax you owe. You’ll only receive a letter if:You are employedYou receive a pensionHowever, if you’re registered for Self Assessment, your bill will be adjusted automatically if you’ve underpaid or overpaid tax. You will not receive a tax calculation letter or a Simple Assessment letter.These letters are usually sent out between June and March of the following tax year.Up to one million people a year fail to claim back any overpaid tax(Image: Getty)Why you might have overpaidYou might be owed a refund because you:Were placed on the wrong tax code, for example because HMRC had incorrect information about your incomeFinished one job, started a new one and were paid by both in the same monthStarted receiving a workplace pensionReceived Employment and Support Allowance or Jobseeker’s AllowanceIf you believe you have overpaid tax and HMRC has not sent you a tax calculation letter, you should make a claim for a refund. This can be done online, via the app, or by ringing 0300 200 3300.HMRC should contact you if you’ve overpaid on your tax but you can also check yourself(Image: Getty)The HMRC appThe HMRC app can be used not only to check whether you’re owed any tax, but also allows you to:Get an estimate of the tax you need to payMake a Self Assessment paymentMake a Simple Assessment paymentSet a reminder to make a Self Assessment paymentAccess your Help to Save accountUse our tax calculator to work out your take home pay after Income Tax and National Insurance deductionsTrack forms and letters you have sent to HMRCAsk HMRC’s digital assistant for help and informationUpdate your nameUpdate your addressSave your National Insurance number to your digital walletCheck for gaps in your National Insurance contributions and the benefits of paying themCheck if you can make a payment for gaps in your National Insurance contributionsChoose to be contacted by HMRC electronically, instead of by letterTo access the app, open it and enter your Government Gateway user ID and password to sign in for the first time. If you do not yet have a user ID, you can set one up directly through the app.
