Archive Website of the UK government

Claiming back tax if you've had too much deducted from your pension

If you pay tax on a company or personal pension (including retirement annuity), or the State Pension through PAYE, there are several reasons why you might end up accidentally paying too much. Pay As You Earn (PAYE) is the system used by employers and pension providers to deduct tax from your wages or pension.

Follow the link below to find out when you might have overpaid tax - and how to claim it back if you have.

• Claim back tax if you've had too much deducted from your pension (money, tax and benefits section)

Reclaiming tax if you've overpaid through your job

If you change jobs often or have more than one job at the same time you may end up paying too much Income Tax.

If you think you've paid too much tax you can apply for a refund. See 'Reclaiming tax if you've overpaid through your job' for more information.

• Reclaiming tax if you've overpaid through your job (money, tax and benefits section)

If you complete a tax return and think you’ve overpaid

If you've made an error, left something out on your Self Assessment tax return or think you've paid too much or too little tax it's easy to let HM Revenue & Customs know.

If they agree with your new figures they’ll make a repayment, or if as a result of the changes you owe additional tax, they will tell you how much is due.

Find out how to report an error or apply for a refund by following the link below.

• Correcting your tax return and claiming any refund

Claiming back overpaid National Insurance contributions

When you reach State Pension age you no longer need to pay National Insurance contributions if you carry on working.

There's also a limit to the amount of National Insurance contributions you need to pay each tax year. To find out more about how to claim the money back if you think you’ve overpaid follow the link below.

• Claiming back overpaid National Insurance contributions (money, tax and benefits section)

Getting tax-free interest on savings or claiming tax back

If you're on a low income and have savings with a bank or building society you could be paying tax on your interest when you don't need to.

If this is the case, you can register to have the interest paid tax-free. You can also claim a refund of any tax you've overpaid.

• Find out more about getting tax-free interest on savings or claiming tax back (money, tax and benefits section)

Tax credits on UK dividends - non-refundable

If you get income from UK shares ('dividends') you can't reclaim the 10 per cent tax credit shown on the dividend, even if you don't pay any tax. This is because Income Tax hasn't been deducted from the dividend paid to you - you've simply been given a 10 per cent 'credit' to offset against any Income Tax due. To find out more about tax and UK dividends follow the link below.

• Tax on UK dividends (money, tax and benefits section)

More useful links

• Claiming a tax refund when you stop work (money, tax and benefits section)

• Working and paying tax (money, tax and benefits section)

• More about reclaiming overpaid tax from the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group Opens new window

Useful contacts

• Pensions and retirement planning contacts