Am I Due a Tax Rebate: Your Complete Guide

If you’ve ever worked and paid tax in the UK, there’s a good chance you could be owed some of it back. A tax rebate (also called a tax refund) is money HMRC gives you when you’ve paid too much tax. It’s your cash, and RIFT makes it easy to claim it back.

Over the years, we’ve reclaimed more than £450 million for people just like you. Our average refund is around £3,000, and we handle the whole process so you don’t have to.

Use our free tax rebate calculator to see if you're due any cash back from HMRC. It only takes a minute to find out.

What is a tax rebate?

In simple terms, a tax rebate is a refund of tax you shouldn’t have paid. You might have paid too much if you:

• Changed jobs part-way through the year
• Worked at different sites or locations
• Paid for your own travel, tools or uniform
• Were on the wrong tax code
• Worked away from home and covered your own costs

HMRC doesn’t always spot these things automatically, so if you don’t claim, you could miss out.

Who can claim a tax refund in the UK?

Most people who pay tax through PAYE can claim, not just the self-employed. If you spend your own money on work expenses, you could be owed a refund.

Typical work expenses claim areas include:

• Travel and mileage: when you use your own car or pay for public transport for work (not your daily commute).
• Tools and equipment: buying or replacing items you need to do your job.
• Uniforms or PPE: cleaning or replacing protective clothing.
• Accommodation and food: when working away from home.
• Professional fees or memberships: union fees or trade body subscriptions.
• Home working costs: if you’re required to work from home.

Even if you’re on PAYE and your employer handles your tax, you can still overpay.

Jobs and industries that often qualify

Certain industries regularly qualify for tax rebates because of the nature of their work. Some of the most common include:

• Construction: travel between sites, tools, PPE and lodgings.
• Military & MOD: postings, travel and mess fees.
• Oil & Gas: offshore travel, flights and accommodation.
• Healthcare: uniform tax rebate, training, registration fees and travel between hospitals.
• Transport & logistics: mileage allowance relief and subsistence.

We’ve helped thousands across these sectors claim what’s theirs safely, quickly and without hassle.

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

If any of these sound familiar, you could be owed a refund:

• You’ve changed jobs or had multiple jobs in a year.
• You’ve paid for travel, tools or accommodation out of your own pocket.
• You’ve worked in different locations or away from home.
• You’ve been on the wrong tax code.

Our free online tax rebate calculator makes it simple to check in under a minute, with no forms or HMRC jargon to worry about.

How much could I get back?

Your refund depends on your expenses, how far back you claim and what you’ve paid in. Some people get a few hundred pounds, others receive thousands.

The average RIFT claim is around £3,000, and you can normally claim for the last four tax years.

Deadlines and how far back you can claim

HMRC lets you claim for up to four previous tax years. That means in 2026, you can still claim back to the 2021/22 tax year, but anything earlier will soon be out of time.

Don’t miss the 5 April deadline each year. RIFT automatically checks every year you’re eligible for, so you never lose what’s yours.

Common forms and documents

You might come across these HMRC forms when claiming a rebate:

• P87 form: used to claim job-related expenses (for PAYE employees).
• R40 form: used if you’ve overpaid tax on savings interest.
• P800 form: a statement from HMRC showing if you’re owed or owe tax.

Don’t worry if you don’t have them. RIFT helps you gather everything you need.

Will claiming affect my tax code or benefits?

No, claiming a legitimate refund doesn’t affect your benefits, tax code or credit score. If your tax code changes, it’s only to make sure you pay the right amount in future.

Avoiding scams and rogue agents

Sadly, tax refund scams are common. Be cautious of anyone promising instant payouts or asking for your login details. RIFT is a trusted, long-established UK company with secure systems and transparent fees.

How to claim your tax rebate with RIFT

We make claims straightforward and stress-free. Here’s how:

1. Start your free online check. Tell us a bit about your work and expenses. It takes less than a minute.
2. We handle the paperwork. Our experts deal directly with HMRC, so you don’t have to.
3. Get your refund. Once approved, HMRC sends your money straight to you.

We’ve been doing this for over 20 years and reclaimed more than £450 million in refunds. You’re in safe hands.

FAQs

What’s the difference between a tax rebate and tax relief?

A rebate is money refunded after you’ve overpaid.
Tax relief reduces how much tax you pay in the first place, for example mileage or uniform allowances.

Can I claim if I’ve changed jobs or had multiple jobs?

Yes. If your tax codes didn’t align, you may have paid too much. We can check this for you quickly.

How long does a tax refund take?

Once submitted, HMRC usually processes refunds within 8 to 12 weeks, though it can vary.

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

Absolutely. You can claim back up to four tax years, even if you’ve never claimed before.

Do I need receipts for everything?

Not always. HMRC offers flat-rate expenses for many jobs, so you don’t need full receipts. We’ll help you use whichever method gets you the best return.

Can I get a rebate for savings interest (R40)?

Yes. If you’ve paid tax on savings interest that should have been tax-free, you can claim using form R40. We’ll help you with that too.

What should I do if I get a P800 letter?

A P800 shows whether you’ve overpaid or underpaid tax. If it says you’re due a refund, RIFT can make sure you get the full amount you’re owed