Emergency Tax query...?

Question

Hi!

Unfortunately I don't know anything about claiming taxes etc. so I don't know how to go about this problem I have.

I started a job with an agency back in November and left it at the end of March. Through this time, however, they didn't ask for my P45. It was sat at home until I left and then I was told by a family member that I was emergency taxed throughout that work period. I'm currently (unfortunately) on my 13th week of JSA and was wondering how I would go about claiming this tax money back. I don't know how I'd go about doing something like this.

Any help is most appreciated! =)

Answer 1

You need to look at each tax year is isolation. Ie: for the year from 6 April 2007 to 5 April 2008 you need to get together any P45s (and P60s) received in this period and JSA documentation.

In this period you were entitled to earn £5,225 (incuding JSA) tax free. If the total is less than that write to your local HMRC office telling them and enclosing copies of the above documents and ask for a tax rebate. Check your P45s for details of tax paid in the period - it could be that it is correct.

Emergency tax basically means the standard uk tax code so it can often be right. However if you haven't worked throughout the full tax year a rebate may be due.

As you are currently on JSA any tax rebate will be processed through the jobcentre so it may be worth asking them next time you go down.

Answer 2

Get all your P45's together and contact your JobCentrePlus office for the tax office they hold their benefits records at.

Once you speak to them, they can tell you whether you are entitled to a refund, but if during your temporary working period you did not hand in your P45, you would almost certainly be entitled to a refund (especially if you were being put on a tax code of BR).  The tax office should direct you into filling out the correct forms.