How to get the right Tax-Code and how to get the over-paid tax back?

houmie

Hi,

My girlfriend has just recently graduated and on her way for her post-graduate studies. She is working as part time (10 hours a week at her university as Research Assistant) and now (for the next six months) also full-time as a low-paid admin job. Her tax-code is completely messed up and she pays up to 40% tax on her incomes.

1) How can I help her to get her tax-code right so she can actually save up for her post-graduate studies?

2) Can she do a self-assessment for 2010/2011 to get the overpaid tax back? I have checked the HMRC website and it says it requires a UTR code. But she is not self-employed and I think only self-employed would get a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), is that right?

Thanks for your help,

Mikeyorks

houmie wrote: »

is that right?

No - some people under PAYE also need to file under SA.

But your girlfriend doesn't - and it's fairly pointless getting into SA just for a refund under PAYE. As - once in - she will need to continue filing each year.

You need to amplify the 'tax code messed up' a little? As even with Code BR at each job she would only pay (too much) at 20% overall. Does she have a Code for each job - what are they - and what are the approx annual pay rates?

houmie

Hi Mike,

Sorry for late reply. I had to figure out the tax codes.

It seems the one for her 'permanent' role is 247L.
And the one for her university work is 500T.

I couldn't find any UTR on her payslips. Its weird in order to register for an SA online, they require an UTR. Its like chicken and egg.

What do you recommend?

Thanks,

xylophone

Have a look at the payslip for her "permanent" job - does it show her tax office? If not, get her to ask HR for details. She could telephone the office and ask for advice but if she is a busy woman, she might feel that she just doesn't have the time to hang about on the phone - in that case, I'd suggest that she writes to the tax office enclosing copies of all her payslips/details of her employments and asks for assistance in getting her tax affairs on an even keel. I'd send the letter recorded delivery. Hope this helps.

antonic

The current tax code for a person under 65 is 747L

houmie wrote: »

Hi Mike,

Sorry for late reply. I had to figure out the tax codes.

It seems the one for her 'permanent' role is 247L.
And the one for her university work is 500T.
These two tax codes total 747L, and for a second job her wages are *normally* taxed at Basic Rate of 20%.

I couldn't find any UTR on her payslips. Its weird in order to register for an SA online, they require an UTR. Its like chicken and egg.

You wont find a UTR on her payslip, UTR`s are only allocated when someone requests to enter Self Assessment and its a 10 digit reference number

What do you recommend?

Thanks,

Get her to contact her Tax Office to find out if her tax codes are correct.

dori2o

houmie wrote: »

Hi Mike,

Sorry for late reply. I had to figure out the tax codes.

It seems the one for her 'permanent' role is 247L.
And the one for her university work is 500T.

I couldn't find any UTR on her payslips. Its weird in order to register for an SA online, they require an UTR. Its like chicken and egg.

What do you recommend?

Thanks,

The tax allowance has been split, this is based on the ESTIMATED income HMRC hold for your GF's 2 sources of employment.

Contact HMRC on 08453000627, give them the information regarding which employer is the main source, and the estimated income to be received from each.

That will resolve the issue regarding the tax codes.

Any refund will be calculated after the end of the tax year.

CLAPTON

facts are always useful

in tax year 2010-11 how much did she earn and how much tax did she pay and what was her final tax code? (she should have a P60 but otherwise her payslips will have the information)
if she had two jobs then give the figures for both separately

in current tax year
how much has she earned to date and how much tax has she paid and what is her tax code (give information for both job separately)

Mikeyorks

houmie wrote: »

What do you recommend?

Can't add anything to posts #6 and, particularly, #7.

But do drop the issue about Self Assessment - it does not apply. PAYE handles well over 95% of employed people's tax affairs very satisfactorily without the need of submitting Returns.

As the allowance is already split (but possibly not beneficially) it does sound as though your girlfriend has requested that - as HMRC don't normally do it of their own initiative.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/incometax/check-multiple-codes.htm#3