It is not at all uncommon for people to pay more tax than they are responsible for. While this happens most often to employees it is also possible that someone using the PAYE system could end up paying too much tax as well. The good news is that claiming this excess tax back from HMRC is not as difficult as it might at first seem. In the brief guide, we will explain how to check if you paid too much tax and how to reclaim it.
How to Check if I Paid Too Much Tax
Those taxed under the PAYE (Pay As You Earn) system will have any overpayments refunded automatically to them by HMRC, who typically send a P800 letter stating there was an overpayment and that a refund is imminent.
Why would someone wind up paying too much under the PAYE system? There are a number of scenarios that may result in overpayment, including:
•The person was put into the wrong tax bracket.
•They began receiving a pension at work.
•They were paid by two employers within a single month.
•The person received a jobseeker’s allowance or a support allowance.
Letters informing people that they paid too much under the PAYE system are usually sent out between the beginning of June and the end of November. People are often unaware they are paying too much and so the letter comes as a pleasant surprise. Others, however, suspect all along that they have been paying more than their fair share and want to find out for themselves.
To do that you will need to go to the official HMRC website. On their main Income Tax page they have a link to a page where you can check to see if you are paying too little or too much tax. Keep in mind you will need a government gateway account with user ID and password to perform this check.
Keep in mind also that if you earned less than the tax-free personal allowance of £12,570 last (tax) year you will not owe any tax or need to make any national insurance payments.
Claiming Your Tax Refund
If you have received a P800 letter informing you that you paid too much tax you have two options. You can go to the HMRC website, login using your government gateway ID and provide a few details, or you can simply wait and approximately 3 weeks after the P800 letter arrives a cheque should arrive in the post for the refund amount.
If you do not have internet access you can call HMRC on 0300 200 3300 and discuss the matter with an HMRC representative who will ask for some details confirming you are who you say you are and that you have a legitimate refund claim. You can also call that number if you have not received a P800 letter but you are convinced you have overpaid your taxes.
What Questions Will HMRC Ask Me?
Whether you choose the online route to claim your refund or you call HMRC directly you will need to answer certain questions, so be prepared. Those questions will typically include the following:
•Have you received a P800 notice?
•When did you pay the excess tax?
•What was the source of the income from which the overpayment was deducted?
•How much do you believe you overpaid?
Generally, if you can answer those questions and you have the necessary documentation to back up your claim you should have no problem claiming your tax refund.
Is There a Better Way to Claim a Refund?
There is. The Pie mobile app enables you to check if you overpaid, receive tax advice, contact HMRC directly and have your refund deposited directly into your bank account. Best of all, unlike many tax services, Pie does not take a commission for helping you secure your refund so you get to keep the entire amount. And isn’t that how it should be?
Conclusion
Now you know how to check if you paid too much tax and, as you can see, it’s not a terribly complicated process. The whole thing will go even smoother if you take advantage of Pie’s powerful personal tax management tools.
FAQs
How can I correct an overpayment on my tax return?
If you've paid too much tax, you can file an amended tax return using Form 1040-X. This form allows you to correct errors on your original return, including overpayments. You can request a refund for the excess amount or apply it to next year's taxes.
What is the deadline for filing an amended tax return?
The IRS generally allows you to file an amended return within three years from the date you filed your original return or within two years from the date you paid the tax, whichever is later. It's crucial to meet these deadlines to claim your refund.
Can I get a refund for over-withheld taxes?
Yes, if you over-withhold taxes throughout the year, you can request a refund when you file your tax return. The refund will include the difference between the amount withheld and your actual tax liability. Adjusting your withholdings can help you avoid over-withholding in the future.
What if my employer reported incorrect income on my W-2?
If your W-2 contains errors, contact your employer to correct them. Employers can issue a corrected W-2, known as a W-2c. Once you have the corrected information, you can file an amended tax return to fix the discrepancy.
What is the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), and how can it affect my tax liability?
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable credit for low- and moderate-income workers. It can significantly reduce your tax liability or even result in a refund. Eligibility depends on your income, filing status, and the number of qualifying children. If you didn't claim the EITC on your original return but believe you're eligible, you can file an amended return to claim it.
