Tax appeals, disputes and complaints Paying too much tax
You can generally claim a full rebate for money you've lost
HMRC mistakes
If you are the victim of an HMRC error, generally you can claim a full rebate for the money you have lost.
This might depend on whether the money lost is something like out-of-pocket expenses which are easily identified and reimbursed, or something more nebulous like loss of earnings or loss of business.
In addition, HMRC will offer a small consolatory payment where you have experienced particular distress because of HMRC’s action or inaction.
Your mistakes
If you have paid too much tax because of a mistake on your tax return – for example by not claiming an allowance you were entitled to or making an error on your tax return – you can correct your tax return within the first year of filing it.
After that you can still claim back tax within four years of the end of the tax year you’re claiming for.
If you are not self-assessed, you can claim for five years and four months until 2012.
- For any tax query, call our experts on the Which? Money Helpline
- Try the Which? Tax Calculator
- Confused by tax codes? Take a look at our guide
