Claiming Tax Back (Student)

cowboy

I'm an international student and I did a paid full-time internship in summer 2006 with company A. My salary was tax-deducted but my total income is less than £5000.

On the other hand, I also had a part-time job during term-time with company B. (university). But my salary for this job was not tax-deducted because it's way below the taxable amount.

My total salary for both jobs added up were still less than £5000, which is below the taxable amount. I called the Inland Revenue and was sent a P50 form. However, I really have no idea how to fill in this form (apparently, there's only one page to fill - http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/pdfs/p50.pdf).

My last employer is with company B, but I'm only claiming tax back from company A, what should I fill under "last employer" section? As for earnings, there is a checkbox for part time, casual and self-employed - which one should I tick and how much amount of earnings should I put in (the total earned with company A+B or just company A ?) .

It's a bit complicated and I wanted to go to the nearest Inland Revenue office but it's too far for me. Please advice. I will probably call them up again but it will take quite an effort to explain this whole situation so I'm trying my luck here. Thanks in advance.

Missy79

Do you have a p45 from either of these jobs or a p60? This would make it much easier as they would have most of the information on your earnings already (they should anyway from your employer since you were paying tax) the p50 would then just be to confirm the periods you were working and that you have had no other job since (I think that's the form anyway). Once they've worked it out they then send you a letter saying what you're going to get back and that should be followed by a cheque.
If i were you i would work out what you've paid in tax to make sure you and the tax people agree on the amount.
If you're lucky and you've worked before you may even get a bit more than you expected as they go back further than the current tax year.

cowboy

Thanks, Missy79 for your reply.

Yes, I've got the p45 and I've sent it to the Inland Revenue when I first asked them for the tax payment back. I know the information on earnings but do I just fill the information from company A (which was taxed) and ignore the earnings from company B (not taxed)? Also, is an internship considered as a part-time job? As far as I know, the Inland Revenue doesn't know anything about my job with company B, so do I need to mention it or just ignore it?

jennifernil

You should put down all your income from all jobs, it all counts for tax purposes no matter how much it is.

Hoddie_2

You need to call HMRC and tell them what income you had between April 2006 and the date you completed the P50. If they don't have the details you will need to send them the P45s. If they do then they should be able to deal with the repayment for you.

sarahlouise210

Because you are getting so confused with the situation your best bet is to complete the P50 ....sign the declaration that you are no longer working..and miss off the employment bit. Instead of filling it in - write on the form that you have enclosed a letter - explain in the letter what you have told us here and enclose your P60 and P45 (parts 2 and 3). Your form my be transferred to a different office to deal with it as it should be done by the tax office who deals with your last employer (even though you did not pay any tax at that employment). If you have not completed a form P86 ( the form you complete when you enter the UK) then you should be asked to complete this form as well.

cowboy

Ok, I did as what sarahlouise210 suggested. I left the earning amount unfilled and wrote a letter to explain (I think it was badly explained though). I did receive the P86 form as well and have no problem completing that.

I am afraid that this will create further problems because I have no salary slips from Company B (my salary was paid by cheque) and they did not send me any P45 forms either ( my salary was not tax deducted as mentioned earlier). I don't think HMRC has any record of the amount I earned from company B. What if HMRC asked for proof of my income with Company B? How am I going to prove my income from Company B? All I'm trying to do is just to claim the tax I paid for my employment in Company A....

This gave me a lot of problem and I hope it can be resolved soon. I just want to get my £700 back. If you have any advice, please let me know before I send out the letter tomorrow....

cowboy

This is the letter I just wrote to the tax office:

Dear Sir/Madam/Miss,

I previously wrote in about claiming my tax back as the total income for the year is less than the taxable amount. I was sent two forms to fill in (P86 and P50) and I have filled them up as attached.

However, I have difficulties in filling up the P50 form. Between April 2006 and the date of this letter, I have also worked part-time with Company B. I worked with them during my university term time, which is before and after my summer internship with Company A. My income from Company B since April 2006 was £460 in total but I was not taxed for this amount. I also did not receive any P45 form from Company B because they said the amount I earned was way below the taxable amount. Therefore, I did not know how to complete the P50 form and left the earnings amount unfilled. I was not sure whether I should write the amount I earned in total or just the amount that was tax-deducted. Also, Company B was my last employer as I continued working with them after I stopped working in Company A. In short, I worked with Company B between April 2006 and June 2006, with Company A between June 2006 to September 2006 and again with Company B from September 2006 to November 2006.

The total income from my employment with Company A and Company B is still below the taxable amount. I have also resigned from Company B since November 2006.

The original P45 forms from Company A were already sent in with my previous letter. Please advise on how I should proceed. If you require any other information, please let me know. Thanks in advance.



Yours sincerely,
confused cowboy

Is it ok?

jennifernil

That sounds fine. You may have to wait until the end of the tax year 2006/07 to get your refund as they may think it possible you could take another job before the end of the tax year.
As you were paid by cheque by company B your bank statements will show the amounts, but you should be able to get something official from the company.

whatatwit

Are you intending to work for Company B again, or do any other paid employment before 5th April?

I would state your intentions regarding this on the letter.

cowboy

I don't intend to take up any other jobs before 5th of April 2007 (I didn't state this in the letter though as I just saw this message after I sent the letter). Any idea when will I get my refund? Will it be after April 2007? I have to leave the UK by September 2007 (unless I extend my visa)... so if possible, I want to get everything sorted out by then. Once I'm out of this country, it might be difficult for me to get everything done.

Anyway, the letter is in the post now so hopefully they will get back to me soon.