Do we need to ask for a Tax Refund?

MKPhil05

Early in the Tax Year 07/08 my wife gave up work. Her P45 shows that she earnt £1395.26 and paid £8.70 in tax - since then she has not worked. We also have a joint savings account which earnt us £29.46 in net interest over the same period (I'm a basic rate taxpayer) - therefore £14.73 was my wife's portion meaning she paid a further £3.68 in tax. We had hoped that the taxman would "notice" and send us a refund automatically but nothing (to date) has been forthcoming.

So, therefore:
1) Does the taxman automatically repay overpaid tax on salaries or do we have to ask for it?
1a) If it's automatic, how long should we wait for that to arrive?
1b) If we have to ask, what is the procedure?
2) What do we need to do to reclaim the tax on the interest?
3) Is it worth bothering for such small amounts? Would the taxman laugh at us for trying!

mtem74

If you want to reclaim any tax due either on savings or earnings then you will have to write to the taxman and as for it.
To save time you should send in the supporting documentation (i.e. savings certificate) as they won't have a record of it.
Yes it may not seem much but at the end of the day it's your cash. You dont want it.. do write to them.

dori2o

1, You have to request an assessment.
1b, Ring your local tax office (the office that deals with your employers tax), if you can confirm the employment and benefit details held on the system then an assessment can be completed following the call. If you cannot confirm the information, or if you have other untaxed income, or savings and investment income you will need to write in. Maybe complete a self assessment form depending on the type/value of the other income.

2, R40 claim form, or send in a letter detailing Intrest received and tax paid. (Assuming the total Intrest/investment income is less then £10,000)

3, If you want it reclaim it, if you don't, don't.

trinidadone

I completed a R40. I printed one off from HM tax and revenue website. If you can do that, just get a number from https://www.saynoto0870.com

is it worth applying i see you write, YES YES YES

Its your money, and you have been overtaxed. remember you can only apply for income tax and interest tax at the end of the financial year

I application form took around six weeks and the tax office sent me a cheque (each area in the uk as its own unique tax office) good luck and remember to claim