HMRC has urged British taxpayers to check if they are owed a tax refund. Rather than relying on rebate letters that arrive at the end of a tax year, Brits can check immediately on the HMRC app and request refunds online, which can be paid into their bank accounts.

In a callout on X this week, HMRC stressed: “Think you’re owed a tax refund? Don’t guess, check! The HMRC app makes it quick and simple. Download now.” The values of rebates vary, but Tax2u said its average customer receives £2,514 in repaid funds. However, you do not need to go through a provider to claim your money, since you can do this directly with the UK Government.

HMRC typically contacts people about tax rebates with their P800 letters between June and November, following the end of the tax year on April 5, and people can check this at any time using the app.

Refunds will be processed much more quickly if you claim online too, with a five working-day turnaround compared to six weeks when you asked for a cheque.

To see if you are owed a tax refund on the HMRC app, sign in using your Government Gateway ID and password. Then select the “Pay As You Earn (PAYE)” section to review your income tax summary for the current or previous years.

If a refund is due, a green button will appear on the screen, allowing you to request the money back directly to your bank account. Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm your bank details to submit the claim.

People are owed tax refunds when they have paid too much tax through systems such as their wages, or costs they can claim back for work, such as working from home, fuel, uniforms or tools.

They could also have overpaid on things like redundancy payments, pensions, UK income while living abroad, interest from savings, foreign income, or earnings received before leaving the UK.