HMRC may have contacted you or your clients about a tax refund. For most customers, refunds are no longer issued automatically by cheque. Clients now need to take action to receive any money they are owed.

Due to security and verification requirements, agents cannot claim repayments on behalf of clients. Only the client can complete the claim.

What you should do now

Prepare your clients by encouraging them to:

• check the HMRC app or their Personal Tax Account (PTA) to see if they are due a refund
• claim their refund online if prompted
• make sure their personal details are up to date with HMRC, including their postal address.

Clients can check and update their details in the HMRC app or their Personal Tax Account. Keeping details up to date helps ensure important letters and payments are not delayed.

How your clients can claim

• open the HMRC app or sign in to their PTA
• go to ‘Pay As You Earn (PAYE)’
• f they’re due a refund, a green ‘claim’ button will be visible
• tap to claim – repayments are normally made by bank transfer within one week.

If your clients cannot use digital services

Your clients do not need to be fully set up for HMRC online services to make a claim.

Those who are digitally excluded, or who prefer a paper cheque, can still request a Payable Order (PO). However, this will take longer to arrive.

Clients requesting payable orders will need:

• their P800 reference number (on the tax calculation letter)
• their national insurance number.