I don't do a Self Assessment - how do I inform HMRC about pension contributions ?

Dazed_and_C0nfused

AdamBrunt said:

Albermarle said:

Normally once you make a claim and they have paid a rebate ,  HMRC adjust your taxcode ( make it larger ) so you pay less tax during the year and no need for another  rebate later. They assume your contributions stay the same from one year to the next .
If your contributions change , you can go to your personal tax account with HMRC ( easy to register ) and make an online request for a new tax code , giving the reason ( increased/decreased contributions). Normally it works well.

Thanks.
Will double check but I am pretty sure my tax code has gone DOWN recently (after I last claimed for the additional tax relief) which doesn't seem right ?

Nothing unusual in that, it may simply be that the previous estimate for pension tax relief was too high or something else in your code changed.  It isn't guaranteed that it will be an increase.

AdamBrunt

Albermarle said:

If your contributions change , you can go to your personal tax account with HMRC ( easy to register ) and make an online request for a new tax code , giving the reason ( increased/decreased contributions). Normally it works well.

Stupid question but I where is this option ? I don't see it on my presonal tax account home page ?

mvteng

sheslookinhot said:

I sent them a letter claiming additional tax relief 

I have had no response yet, as only sent in the letter on Tuesday.

I sent them a letter on 17th March claiming additional tax relief. Still waiting for a response.

Maybe i've been unlucky, but I never seem to be able to get through on phone or webchat.

I cant see anything in the personal gateway that allows me to request the additional relief. 

All in all pretty frustrating

Albermarle

I do not think you can claim for past  additional relief ( for 20/21 for example ) via the personal tax account gateway.
However you can request to change your current  tax code for 21/22 to take account of any contributions that will attract additional relief . You have to work out what yourself what the higher tax code should be, and then justify it with the reason eg XPounds pension contributions. 
Your tax code should be updated within a couple of weeks and then your net monthly pay should increase, and there will be no rebate due at the end of the year,

AdamBrunt

Albermarle said:

I do not think you can claim for past  additional relief ( for 20/21 for example ) via the personal tax account gateway.
However you can request to change your current  tax code for 21/22 to take account of any contributions that will attract additional relief . You have to work out what yourself what the higher tax code should be, and then justify it with the reason eg XPounds pension contributions. 
Your tax code should be updated within a couple of weeks and then your net monthly pay should increase, and there will be no rebate due at the end of the year,

Ah, OK. That was the only thing I could find as well - and felt a bit daunted when it asked you what you thought your tax allowance should be.

Think I might just stick will completing the SA100 form

handful

Hi Adam. I was trying to do the same last week. After receiving a pay rise I wanted to make sure I was maximising my 40% Pension contribution tax relief. I ended up phoning them and although it took quite a long time, the guy I spoke to was very helpful. It turned out I haven't been getting my full relief at all since 2017. I now have a new tax code to take account of the future contributions and I will be getting a rebate for relief not given on my contributions for the current tax year in my next salary payment. I will also be getting a rebate for contributions going back to July 2017 but this will take a bit longer. I found the HMRC gateway pages incredibly frustrating to negotiate and found that speaking to someone was well worth the wait. HTH

AdamBrunt

@handful, I found the same as you - and ended up doing over the phone for 19/20.

Well, somehow, I was actually just able to fill in a Self Assessment / Tax Return for 20/21 [ by viewing a previous return and then selecting 20/21 under the "tax year" drop down ]. 10 minutes later and I am due a £430 refund Interestingly, this is £100 less than the refund I got in 19/20 even though my pension contributions in 20/21 were substantially higher ?? Probably due, in part, to the Covid-related decrease in salary in 20/21 

Presumably my tax code, going forward, will be amended accordingly ?

handful

AdamBrunt said:

@handful, I found the same as you - and ended up doing over the phone for 19/20.

Well, somehow, I was actually just able to fill in a Self Assessment / Tax Return for 20/21 [ by viewing a previous return and then selecting 20/21 under the "tax year" drop down ]. 10 minutes later and I am due a £430 refund

Presumably my tax code, going forward, will be amended accordingly ?

I would imagine so yes, my employer received notification from HMRC the day after I spoke with them with my new code (which he also gave me on the phone whilst talking to him). I've never done a SA and wasn't keen to do so really! Glad you are sorted.

I may be wrong with my calculations but think I am probably due somewhere around £5k from previous years

Dazed_and_C0nfused

AdamBrunt said:

@handful, I found the same as you - and ended up doing over the phone for 19/20.

Well, somehow, I was actually just able to fill in a Self Assessment / Tax Return for 20/21 [ by viewing a previous return and then selecting 20/21 under the "tax year" drop down ]. 10 minutes later and I am due a £430 refund Interestingly, this is £100 less than the refund I got in 19/20 even though my pension contributions in 20/21 were substantially higher ?? Probably due, in part, to the Covid-related decrease in salary in 20/21 

Presumably my tax code, going forward, will be amended accordingly ?

Only to allow provisional relief for 2021:22, not to allow any pension tax relief due for 2020:21.

thickasabrick

mvteng said:

sheslookinhot said:

I sent them a letter claiming additional tax relief 

I have had no response yet, as only sent in the letter on Tuesday.

I sent them a letter on 17th March claiming additional tax relief. Still waiting for a response.

Maybe i've been unlucky, but I never seem to be able to get through on phone or webchat.

I cant see anything in the personal gateway that allows me to request the additional relief. 

All in all pretty frustrating

Managed to get through on the 18th March (couple of previous attempts 50 minutes). Call was cut off just as I was confirming the contribution amount. Decided that old fashioned letter sent via Royal Mail would have to do this year.

Checking my account online today I can see this message.

Your Income Tax has not been calculated yet for 6 April 2020 to 5 April 2021

There is no need for you to contact HMRC about this.

Income Tax for 6 April 2020 to 5 April 2021 will be calculated over the coming months, usually between June and October. Your Income Tax will be updated when that happens.

Notes

claiming tax reflief on pension contributions for higher rate tax pay

Tel 03002003300

answer "pension tax relief"

"Are you calling about your own tax" answer "yes"

National Insurance Number

Full Name 

Postcode

Date of birth

"Are you a higher rate tax payer" answer "yes"

Make sure to use the the gross contribution figure (the amount you have paid in yourself, plus basic-rate tax relief).

If writing

Pay As You Earn and Self Assessment

HM Revenue and Customs

BX9 1AS

Check the up to date address 
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/income-tax-enquiries-for-individuals-pensioners-and-employees