Under current rules, your UK employer is required to deduct tax from each salary payment and pay it to HMRC (Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs). In certain situations, you may be entitled to a tax refund. So how do you claim it and how long does it take to get a refund from a P45 or P60?
Key Documents for a Tax Refund from P45 or P60
To claim a tax refund, you’ll need to prepare the correct documents. This includes a clearly completed form in English and either your P45 or P60 form from your employer, which contains details such as:
- Total salary amount,
- Total tax paid.
P45 Form
You receive this form when you leave your job with a particular employer.
The P45 is divided into four parts:
- Part 1 – Your employer sends this directly to HMRC,
- Part 1A – You keep this part for your personal records,
- Parts 2 and 3 – You receive these parts from your employer, and you pass them on to your new employer or Jobcentre Plus if you’re not starting a new job.
P60 Form
This form contains details about the tax paid for a specific tax year (in the UK, the tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April). You receive a P60 for each job you had during the tax year.
You can use a P60 to claim back overpaid tax, apply for tax relief or use it as proof of income when applying for a loan or mortgage.
Returning to Poland and Claiming a Tax Refund
If you’re a seasonal worker or are returning to your home country immediately after finishing a job, you may leave the UK before your employer provides the necessary forms. In this case, you can ask your employer to send them to your home address or by email. You can still claim a tax refund in this way.
To ensure the process runs smoothly, you’ll need the original P45 or P60 form. If you don’t have it, you can still claim a refund based on a „statement of earnings” or your last payslips. The process will be slightly more complicated, but with the help of an accounting firm, experienced accountants can assist you in claiming your tax refund.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Tax Refund from a P45 or P60?
Once the necessary paperwork has been completed and sent to HMRC, they have 90 days to process the refund. The whole process usually takes between 2 and 4 months.
If you want to speed up the process, you can use the services of an accountant. In this case, they will handle all the formalities, including filling in forms for HMRC on your behalf and ensuring that all the necessary documents are attached. They will also monitor the process and contact HMRC if further documentation is required.
Remember that once you have submitted your refund claim, the waiting time is entirely up to HMRC officials. Be wary of marketing claims such as „we get your tax back fastest”.
