Let’s get into the nitty gritty, shall we?
Started a new job and nearly choked when you saw your first payslip? If you’ve been slapped with a BR, D0, or D1 tax code, you’ve likely been whacked with emergency tax and HMRC probably owes you money back. Emergency tax can mean you pay more than you actually owe, so it’s important to check how much tax you’ve overpaid.
Emergency tax hits thousands of workers every month, often taking 20%, 40%, or even 45% of your entire salary until your tax code gets sorted. The good news? You can usually claim back emergency tax and potentially receive extra money you are owed.
I’ve helped countless people reclaim hundreds or even thousands of pounds in emergency tax overpayments. Let me show you exactly how to get your money back from HMRC.
What Is Emergency Tax and Why It Triggers Refunds
Emergency tax happens when HMRC doesn’t have enough information about your tax situation, so they default to higher tax rates to avoid under-collecting. It’s their safety-first approach that unfortunately hits your wallet hard.
You’ll typically see emergency tax when starting a new job, returning to work after a break, or when your employer doesn’t have your correct tax code information. A temporary emergency tax code is used when your income details are missing or delayed, resulting in a provisional code until HMRC receives the correct information. The system assumes the worst-case scenario for your tax liability.
The most common emergency tax codes are BR (basic rate - 20% on everything), D0 (higher rate - 40% on everything), and D1 (additional rate - 45% on everything). These codes don’t give you any personal allowance, meaning you pay tax from your first pound earned. Changes in your personal or financial circumstances, such as starting a new job or having multiple sources of income, can also trigger emergency tax.
Understanding Emergency Tax Codes (Including the BR Code)
Emergency tax codes are HMRC’s way of making sure they collect enough tax when they don’t have all the details about your income or employment history. These emergency tax codes, like the BR code, are only meant to be temporary, but they can have a big impact on your take-home pay if not sorted quickly.
The BR code (short for “Basic Rate”) is one of the most common emergency tax codes. If you see BR, 0T, or similar codes on your payslip, it means you’re being taxed at a flat rate usually 20% on all your earnings, with no tax-free personal allowance taken into account. In other words, you start paying tax from the very first pound you earn, rather than enjoying your full tax-free allowance for the year.
Why does this matter? Because most people are entitled to a tax-free personal allowance (£12,570 for the 2024-25 tax year). If you’re on an emergency tax code, you’re missing out on this allowance, which means you’re paying too much tax every time you get paid. This can quickly add up to hundreds or even thousands of pounds in overpaid tax.
It’s crucial to check your tax code as soon as you start a new job or notice a change in your payslip. If you spot an emergency tax code like BR, don’t panic but do act. Make sure your employer has your correct details, including your P45 from your previous job and your national insurance number. If you think you’ve paid too much tax because of an emergency code, you can claim it back from HMRC once your correct tax code is in place.
Remember, emergency tax codes are just a stopgap. The sooner you get onto the correct tax code, the sooner you’ll stop overpaying and the faster you can claim back any extra tax you’ve already paid. Always keep an eye on your payslips and use HMRC’s tax code online service or your personal tax account to check your current tax code and make sure you’re paying the right amount of tax.
Common Emergency Tax Scenarios That Create Refunds
New job situations are the biggest source of emergency tax overpayments. If you can’t provide a P45 from your previous employer, your new employer has to use emergency tax codes until HMRC provides the correct information.
Typical emergency tax scenarios:
- Starting your first job without a P45
- Moving between jobs with gaps in employment
- Returning to work after extended leave
- Employers not receiving updated tax code information
- Multiple jobs where tax codes get confused
- Having more than one job at the same time
- Transitioning from being self employed to employment
- Not completing a starter checklist when joining a new employer
The refund potential depends on how long you’re on emergency tax and what your correct tax code should be. Previous income, company benefits, and state pension can also affect your tax code and lead to emergency tax. Someone on BR code earning £2,000 monthly pays £400 tax instead of the roughly £225 they should pay - that’s £175 monthly in potential refunds.
How to Identify If You're Owed an Emergency Tax Refund
Your payslip holds the key information. Look for tax codes BR, D0, D1, or sometimes 0T these are all emergency codes that likely mean you’re overpaying tax.
Check your payslip for:
- Emergency tax codes (BR, D0, D1, 0T)
- Tax deducted as a percentage of gross pay
- Year-to-date tax figures that seem too high
- Missing personal allowance calculations
- “Week 1” or “Month 1” basis indicators
The “Week 1” or “Month 1” basis is crucial - this means each pay period is treated in isolation without considering your annual allowances. You should see cumulative calculations that spread your allowances across the year.
Compare your tax deduction to what it should be, and check that the refund is for the correct amount. Make sure HMRC calculations match your own records, such as your P45 or P60, to avoid errors. Always review your tax information for the current tax year to ensure accuracy. When contacting HMRC or making a claim, provide your full personal details name, address, date of birth, and National Insurance number to help HMRC process your claim accurately. With a standard 1257L tax code and £30,000 annual salary, you should pay roughly £290 monthly in tax and National Insurance combined. If you’re paying significantly more, you’re likely due a refund.
Different Types of Emergency Tax Refunds
Not all emergency tax refunds work the same way. The process and timeline depend on your employment situation, the type of income involved (such as pension income or earnings from work), and how the overpayment occurred. Understanding tax rules is important to ensure you claim the correct tax rebate.
In-year refunds through payroll: These happen when your employer gets your correct tax code during the tax year. They’ll automatically adjust your future pay to recover the overpayment through reduced tax deductions.
End-of-year automatic refunds: HMRC’s computers automatically calculate refunds after the tax year ends if you’ve clearly overpaid. These usually come as P800 tax calculations followed by cheque refunds.
Manual refund claims: For complex situations or when automatic systems don’t catch the overpayment, you need to actively claim your refund through forms or online services. If you are reclaiming earnings from work or pension income, the process may differ, especially if you have received lump sums or a pension lump sum. Pension providers play a key role in reporting pension income and tax deductions, so providing accurate details about your pension provider or pension providers is important for your claim.
The in-year payroll refunds are quickest sometimes you’ll see the adjustment in your next payslip. End-of-year refunds typically take 3-6 months after April, while manual claims can take several weeks to process.
How to Claim Your Emergency Tax Refund
The method for claiming depends on your employment status and when you’re making the claim. Current employees have different options from people who’ve left their jobs.
If you’re still employed: Contact your payroll department first. Provide your P45 from your previous job if you have it, or ask them to request your correct tax code from HMRC. The refund will usually come through your next few payslips.
If you’ve left the job: You’ll need to claim directly from HMRC using form P50 (if you’re not working) or P53 (if you’re starting a new job). When you claim back emergency tax, be prepared to provide your HMRC number to help identify your records. These forms trigger manual review of your tax position, and security checks may be required before HMRC processes your claim.
Online claiming through Government Gateway: Log into your personal tax account and check if there are any obvious overpayments showing. You can sometimes request refunds directly through the online service, and HMRC often pays refunds by online bank transfer for convenience.
For Self Assessment taxpayers, emergency tax overpayments usually get resolved automatically when you file your return. The calculation will show any refunds due as part of your overall tax position.
Required Documentation for Emergency Tax Refunds
HMRC needs specific information to calculate your refund accurately. Having the right documentation ready speeds up the process significantly.
Essential documents:
- All payslips from the period of emergency tax
- P60 from the end of the tax year
- P45 from previous employment (if applicable)
- Details of any other income or employment
- Income details, including expected total income for the year
- Full personal details (name, address, date of birth, National Insurance number)
- HMRC number for identification
- Details of pension providers if you receive pension income
- Bank account information for refund payments
Your payslips are crucial because they show exactly how much emergency tax was deducted and over what period. HMRC uses this to calculate the difference between what you paid and what you should have paid.
What to Do If Your Refund Is Delayed or Incorrect
Sometimes the refund process doesn’t go smoothly. Claims get lost, calculations are wrong, or payments go to old bank accounts. Knowing how to escalate problems saves time and stress.
If your refund is delayed:
- Check your Government Gateway account for updates
- Call HMRC’s general enquiry line for status updates
- Ensure your bank details are correct with HMRC
- Keep records of all correspondence and reference numbers
If the refund amount seems wrong:
- Review the calculation letter carefully and make sure HMRC calculations match your own records.
- Check all payslips match HMRC’s records to confirm you are receiving the correct amount.
- Query any periods or amounts that look incorrect, especially if you think you are owed extra money due to overpaid tax.
- Consider whether other income affected the calculation.
- If you believe you have overpaid and are due a refund, you may need to request a tax rebate from HMRC.
HMRC’s customer service can be frustrating, but persistence usually pays off. Keep detailed records of when you called, who you spoke to, and what they promised to do. Reference numbers are crucial for tracking progress.
Final Thoughts
Emergency tax refunds can put hundreds or thousands of pounds back in your pocket when HMRC has overcollected. The key is identifying when you're due a refund and following the right process for your situation.
Don't assume overpayments will be automatically corrected - sometimes you need to actively claim what you're owed. If you're managing multiple income sources or complex tax situations, our free self-assessment app helps you track your tax position and spot potential refunds before they become major overpayments.
