Your Tax Refund experts for
Whatever you do for a living, there's no reason to overfeed the taxman. When it comes to claiming tax rebates, RIFT speaks HMRC's language - and yours.
Rapid Refund
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Average Claim £3,000
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The UK tax repayment market has become more visible, and more scrutinised, in recent years.
HMRC has improved its direct-claim tools and encourages individuals to submit simple claims themselves. At the same time, public debate has highlighted weaknesses in parts of the repayment agent sector: unclear fee structures, excessive commissions, confusing contractual arrangements and marketing practices that have eroded consumer trust. That wider context matters, and has a real affect on our customers. If you are considering using a tax refund specialist, the right question is not simply “Is this company legitimate?” but rather:
What standards does it operate to, and how does it behave within the broader repayment landscape?
In the UK, claiming a tax refund does not require a specialist. HMRC provides free forms and online guidance, and for straightforward cases, many people submit claims themselves.
The answer lies in experience, compliance and accountability. We have specialised exclusively in tax refunds since 1999. Over that time, we have reclaimed more than £400 million in overpaid tax for UK workers across travel, Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) and Armed Forces claims. We believe informed decisions build trust.
We began in 1999 as a family-run business in Kent focused on travel and mileage tax refunds, an area often overlooked by general accountants.
Over 25 years, we have:
Longevity alone is not proof of quality. However, the tax repayment sector has experienced increasing scrutiny and formed part of public debate. Many operators have entered and exited the market during that time, while we have remained operational. While our market is currently not regulated, we welcome it. And until that time we will hold ourselves to the highest possible standards. Tax rules change. HMRC procedures evolve. Experience reduces risk.
Not all tax refunds are equal. Complexity varies significantly depending on work pattern and employment status. We focus on specialist areas where eligibility rules are frequently misunderstood.
HMRC allows tax relief on mileage to temporary workplaces. However, the definition of “temporary” is governed by strict conditions, including the 24-month rule. Subsistence interaction, employer reimbursement and dual workplace situations add further complexity.
The average travel and mileage refund we process is around £3,000.
We calculate these claims daily. We review mileage logs, cross-check dates against HMRC workplace definitions and ensure documentation supports every claim before submission.
General accountants may encounter travel relief occasionally. We specialise in it. The difference is depth and repetition.
Construction workers operate under two different tax structures: PAYE employment and the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS). Both can result in overpaid tax where allowable expenses are not fully accounted for.
Under PAYE, tax is deducted automatically through payroll. However, travel between temporary sites, tools, protective clothing and certain other work-related costs may qualify for tax relief. Where employers do not reimburse these expenses, individuals may be entitled to a refund.
Under CIS, contractors have tax deducted at source, typically at 20% or 30%. Allowable business expenses reduce the overall tax liability, and where deductions exceed the final liability, a repayment may arise.
The key distinction is documentation and categorisation. Construction claims often involve:
The average CIS refund we process typically ranges between £2,000 and £3,000 where documentation supports the claim. PAYE construction refunds are often lower in value but can still be significant when claims span multiple tax years.
Construction rules intersect with HMRC’s temporary workplace guidance, the 24-month rule, and expense eligibility criteria. Misinterpretation increases enquiry risk.
We review employment status, workplace duration, expense categorisation and supporting documentation before submission. We do not estimate or include unsupported costs.
Construction remains one of the largest sectors we support. Our role is to ensure claims align with HMRC criteria and are defensible if reviewed.
Serving and former Armed Forces personnel face uniquely complex travel and accommodation patterns. We have reclaimed more than £150 million for approximately 76,000 MOD customers.
Military claims often span multiple postings and years. Understanding workplace classification in this context requires sector familiarity.
We are also signatories to the Armed Forces Covenant and have retained Gold status under the Employer Recognition Scheme, reflecting long-term engagement rather than marketing alignment.
Whatever you do for a living, there's no reason to overfeed the taxman. When it comes to claiming tax rebates, RIFT speaks HMRC's language - and yours.
HMRC’s free service exists for good reason. If your claim is straightforward, your records are complete, and you are comfortable interpreting HMRC guidance and managing potential enquiries, submitting directly may be entirely appropriate.
Where specialist involvement becomes valuable is when:
The distinction our customers value is interpretation, structured review and risk transfer, and that’s why so many come to us for support every time they claim.
We operate on a no refund, no fee basis, and there are no upfront costs.
If you enquire with us and you are not due a tax refund, you pay nothing.
These fees are clearly stated before you proceed with anything. There are no assignment structures transferring ownership of your tax refund. There are no additional aftercare charges hidden later.
Our incentive aligns with yours; we are paid only when a tax refund is secured, and our guarantee means we carry responsibility for errors.
We also offer Rapid Refund as an optional service, allowing part of your refund to be advanced early for an additional agreed fee.
Every claim we prepare is covered by the RIFT Guarantee. This means that if HMRC demands repayment due to an error we have made, we pay it.
HMRC enquiries are not uncommon across the sector. They can last over 100 days and require detailed evidence submission. If you submit a claim yourself, you manage that process alone.
If we prepare the claim, we manage correspondence and defence, and where responsibility lies with us, we assume the financial liability.
That alignment of accountability is central to our operating model.
When you claim tax back with RIFT, our unique RIFT Guarantee means that you don't have to worry about the taxman taking back any of your money.
Certified tax specialists working on your tax refund claim
Protecting your refund once paid to you
Peace of mind with tax refund experts
We operate as a recognised repayment agent with HMRC.
Agents must meet standards for authorisation, secure data handling, submission accuracy and regulatory compliance. HMRC has removed agents from its systems where standards were not met.
Our operating within HMRC's framework is structural to our business, and our promise to our customers.
Before submission, every claim undergoes internal compliance review.
We verify
If documentation is incomplete, we request clarification. We do not estimate in the absence of evidence, which reduces enquiry risk and protects long-term tax position. Where enquiries do arise, our expert compliance team manages all communication, and work to resolve these even if your claim has already been paid.
These strong internal controls are often invisible externally, but they underpin our legacy and reputation.
Each client is assigned a personal tax assistant. Over the last 25 years, we have found that this continuity reduces duplication and improves accuracy.
Our teams are trained specifically in UK tax legislation. We do not outsource processing overseas as tax interpretation requires understanding evolving HMRC practice. Proximity to that regulatory environment matters.
To support this, our clients can track progress via the MyRIFT portal at any time.
We are currently rated 4.8 out of 5 on Trustpilot, based on thousands of publicly visible reviews. We do not filter feedback, so positive and negative reviews remain visible, alongside our responses.
Due to this approach, approximately 45% of our new business arises through referral, something we are extremely proud of!
Independent review platforms have celebrated:
Since 1999, we've helped over 150,000 people claim back more than £400m.
We provide initial tax rebate assessments without obligation.
In short, we do not maximise tax refunds at the expense of compliance. In our expert opinion, short-term gains are simply not worth long-term tax complications for us or our valued clients.
We do not:
Our long-term reputation depends on remaining within HMRC rules.
Our reputation is built through:
We have specialised in this work since 1999, and we have reclaimed over £400 million. We operate with standards, recognised repayment agent status and a guarantee that transfers financial risk where appropriate.
If your claim is simple and you prefer to manage it directly, HMRC provides that route.
If your circumstances are more complex, or if you prefer professional oversight, we provide that service clearly and transparently.
That is why so many customers choose RIFT!
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