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Thousands of taxpayers are missing out on tax refunds

Roger Eddowes

CREATED BY ROGER EDDOWES

Published: 23/04/2026 @ 09:00AM

#taxrefund #missingoutontax #HMRCrefundcheck #overpaidtax #claimwhatismine #checkyourtaxposition

Many people miss out on tax refunds because they haven't taken the time to review their tax details after a job change, a pension update, or a coding mistake. A quick HMRC refund check can help identify any overpaid tax and support them in claiming it back ...

Missing out on tax refunds? Don't be one of the thousands of taxpayers who are unaware of potential refunds they are entitled to

Missing out on tax refunds? Don't be one of the thousands of taxpayers who are unaware of potential refunds they are entitled to

Thousands of taxpayers are quietly missing out on tax refunds, often unaware that HMRC may already owe them money. In many cases, the issue is not a dramatic payroll mistake but a tax code that never quite kept pace with a change in circumstances.

It often starts with overpaid tax building up!

This could span months or even more than one tax year when income shifts, working patterns change, or pension details are not updated properly. That is why an HMRC refund check can be so useful; it gives people a chance to spot a P800 refund before it is left unclaimed.

The process is usually straightforward once the figures have been carefully checked. If HMRC has issued a tax calculation, the taxpayer can review it and then claim a tax rebate via the app, the online service, or a personal tax account, depending on what suits them best.

Some people assume a repayment only occurs after a payroll error, but that is not always the case. A self-assessment refund is one option for some taxpayers, yet PAYE workers and pensioners can also be due money simply because their tax code did not reflect the correct allowance or pension figure.

Employees who changed jobs, reduced their hours, or spent part of the year out of work are especially worth paying attention to, because their tax may have been calculated on a full-year basis even though they did not work the full year.

Pensioners can face the same issue if state pension income has been incorrectly estimated in their tax code, which can lead to missing out on tax refunds for longer than expected.

It is also worth noting that HMRC no longer issues automatic repayments as it once did. That means anyone due money has to take the final step themselves, and that is where many claims are lost through simple inaction rather than disagreement with the figures.

The smartest approach is to compare the tax
calculation with personal records!

This means taxpayers should check that nothing is missing before proceeding. If the figures look correct, the claim can usually be made quickly, and the money should follow within a few working days for online requests, though cheque payments naturally take longer.

Employers can encourage staff to look into it, but they cannot claim the refund on their behalf. That small detail matters because many workers do not realise the responsibility lies with them, so thousands end up missing out on tax refunds.

Those tax refunds are ready and waiting to be claimed.

Until next time ...


ROGER EDDOWES
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If anything I've written in my blog post resonates with you and you'd like to discover more of my thoughts about missing out on tax refunds, then do call me on 01908 774320 and let's see how I can help you.

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#taxrefund #missingoutontax #HMRCrefundcheck #overpaidtax #claimwhatismine #checkyourtaxposition

About Roger Eddowes ...

Roger Eddowes 

Roger trained at Edward Thomas Peirson & Sons in Market Harborough before working at Hartwell & Co, followed by Chancery, as a partner. He started Essendon Accounts and Tax with Helen Beaumont in 2014 as a general practitioner with a hands-on approach.

Roger loves getting his hands dirty, working with emerging, small-to-medium and family businesses to ensure they receive the best possible accountancy advice. Roger utilises an extensive network of business contacts to leverage the best guidance and practical solutions.

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© 2026 by Roger Eddowes

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