If you’ve overpaid tax, you could be owed money back – and it’s often more than people expect. For many workers in construction, the military, HGV driving, healthcare or oil and gas, tax rebates are a common part of the job. In fact, the average refund with RIFT is over £3,000.

This guide will help you check if you’re eligible, understand what you can claim for, and explain how to get started with RIFT. Let’s take the guesswork out of tax refunds.

What is a tax rebate?

A tax rebate is money you get back from HMRC when you’ve paid too much tax. It’s not a bonus, it’s your money, returned to you.

Many people overpay tax without realising it. It can happen for all sorts of reasons, like changing jobs, working only part of the year or having the wrong tax code. If you spend your own money on things like travel, uniforms or tools for work, that can also lead to overpayments, especially if you don’t claim it back.

The problem is, lots of people never know they’re owed anything. That’s why millions of pounds in tax refunds go unclaimed every year.

Who can claim a tax refund in the UK?

If you've paid income tax and spent money on work-related costs, there's a chance you're owed something back. Tax rebates aren't just for self-employed people, they're for anyone who's overpaid tax, including employees on PAYE. You might be owed a tax refund if:

  • You've changed jobs or worked part of the year
  • Your tax code was wrong
  • You've covered costs for work travel. This includes mileage for your own vehicle, toll fees, congestion charges and parking, as well as public transport fares.
  • You've covered food and accommodation costs. When you’re travelling for work, you can claim a tax refund for any meals and temporary accommodation during the trip.
  • You've covered other professional costs. This is things like  professional subscriptions or licenses that are essential for your work, you can include these in your claim. Likewise, if you belong to a trade union, you can claim on your fees.
  • You've covered the repair, replacement and laundry of uniforms.  

Thousands of UK workers can claim tax refunds every year and many don't realise they can until they check. Using RIFT's tax rebate calculator takes just minutes. Answer a few quick questions about your tax status, income, and expenses over the last year. You'll instantly see if you qualify for a potential rebate. If eligible, RIFT's tax experts can help you prepare and submit your claim with HMRC.

Jobs and industries that often qualify for a tax rebate

Some industries are more likely to qualify for tax rebates – especially if they involve travel, tools or site-based work. Here are a few common examples:

  • Construction — Site work often means travel and upfront expenses.
  • Military — Serving personnel regularly claim for travel, mess fees and more.
  • Oil & Gas — Offshore work often involves significant costs and specialist kit.
  • HGV drivers — Travel, overnight stays and uniform costs can all add up.
  • Healthcare — Uniforms, training and registration fees are often overlooked.
  • Security roles — Travel and accommodation costs are typical here.

How do I know if I'm due a tax rebate?

There are a few signs that suggest you could be owed a tax refund. If you’ve changed jobs, worked on multiple sites, paid for your own travel or tools, or had a tax code that didn’t seem quite right, it’s worth checking.

The problem is, it’s not always obvious. Tax codes can be confusing, and HMRC won’t always tell you when you’ve overpaid.

At RIFT, our online eligibility checker takes the guesswork out. It’s quick, free and doesn’t need any paperwork to get started. There’s no obligation and no risk, just a clear answer in minutes.  Click the button below to get started.

Start now >

How much of a tax rebate could I get?

The amount you can claim depends on your job, how long you’ve been eligible, and what expenses you’ve had. But the average refund with RIFT is over £3,000 and some are much higher.

If you’ve never claimed before, you can usually go back up to 4 years, which can make a big difference.

RIFT’s experts check every detail to make sure you get the full amount you’re owed. No guesswork, no missed claims. And you can use our tax refund calculator to see how much you could be owed.

Is there a deadline for claiming?

You can usually claim tax refunds going back up to 4 tax years. After that, the money’s gone for good.

That means if you haven’t claimed before, you could still recover tax you overpaid as far back as the 2022/23 tax year, but only if you act soon.

RIFT checks your full work history to make sure you don’t miss out on anything you’re still entitled to. The sooner you start, the more you could get back.

How to claim your tax rebate with RIFT

Getting a RIFT Refunds tax rebate is simple, here’s how it works:

  • Start your claim — Use our online checker to see if you qualify.
  • Tell us a bit about your work — We’ll guide you through what we need.
  • We do the paperwork — No forms, no jargon. We handle HMRC directly.
  • You get your money — Once HMRC processes the claim, the refund’s yours.

There’s no upfront cost, and we only take a fee if your claim is successful. It’s quick, secure, and backed by over 20 years of experience.

We’ve claimed back £350 million+ for people like you. Now it’s your turn.

Frequently asked questions

What documents do I need to claim a tax refund?

You don’t need everything up front, but it helps to have your PAYE payslips, P60s, P45s, or details of your work expenses. Don’t worry if you’re missing anything, RIFT can help track down what’s needed.

Will claiming affect my future tax or benefits?

Claiming a refund won’t impact your tax code, benefits or credit score. It’s money you’re legally entitled to reclaim.

More information on tax codes

Can I claim if I’ve had more than one job?

Switching jobs or working multiple roles in a year often leads to overpaid tax and a potential rebate.

How long does it take to get my refund?

Most refunds are paid out in 6 to 12 weeks, depending on HMRC’s processing times. RIFT keeps you updated every step of the way.

HMRC timescales

Can I still claim if I’ve never done it before?

You can usually go back up to 4 tax years, even if you’ve never made a claim before. That’s why some first-time refunds are worth thousands.

Tips for maximising your tax rebate from Ryan at RIFT Refunds

Don't worry if you don’t have all your receipts, the alternative is to use HMRC Flat rate deductions system which sets out fixed amounts that you can claim. The rebate amounts depend on the work you do but, obviously enough, not every possible kind of job has its own flat rate deduction worked out. Even so, if HMRC hasn’t settled on a specific figure for yours, you might still be able to get a standard £60 deduction.