EMERGENCY TAX
Claiming back emergency tax.
If you were on emergency tax (W1 / M1 / X / BR / 0T) for any period, you almost certainly overpaid. Three routes to get the money back, in order of speed.
Educational estimates only. Not tax, legal, financial, payroll or employment advice. Verify with your employer's payroll team or HMRC.
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Common questions
How will I get my emergency tax refund?
Three routes. The fastest is through payroll: once your correct cumulative tax code arrives at your employer, the next payslip reconciles your year-to-date tax and the refund flows through that payslip. Alternative routes are P800 letter (after year-end) or direct claim via your Personal Tax Account.
How long does the refund take?
Through payroll: 1 to 2 pay cycles after your correct tax code is issued by HMRC. Via P800: usually 5 working days for online claims, 3 to 6 weeks for cheque. Direct claims via Personal Tax Account: typically within 5 working days.
Can I claim emergency tax for previous years?
Yes. HMRC allows refund claims up to 4 years back. Use form P50 (if you stopped working), P85 (if you left the UK), or your Personal Tax Account. Provide all P45s and P60s for the years in question.
I left a job mid-tax-year and was on emergency tax. How do I claim?
If you have started a new job, your new employer will reconcile once they have your P45. If you have not started another role yet, complete form P50 once you are 4 weeks unemployed (or after 6 months if you went abroad). HMRC issues the refund directly.
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Open the toolPayslipIQ provides educational information and estimated calculations only. It does not provide tax, legal, financial, payroll, accounting, pension, benefits or employment advice. Always verify your payslip, tax code, deductions and take-home pay with your employer's payroll department, HMRC, your pension provider, a qualified accountant, tax adviser or another appropriately qualified professional.