How exactly do I claim the higher rate pension tax relief?

HarveyNichols99

England, employed, earn £57,000 a year.

I pay 3% into my employer provided pension scheme which is taken AFTER income tax (e.g. NOT salary sacrifice).

I've read as a higher rate tax payer I could claim further tax relief on my pension contributions. I've signed up to the Government Gateway site but can't see anywhere to claim this tax relief. All the guides online just say to use the website.

Can someone be kind enough to provide a step by step on how to claim this pension tax relief? 

Notepad_Phil

I believe there are two ways to do this, self-assessment and direct contact.

Are you doing self-assesment? If no, then my understanding is that you have to write or phone them rather than there being a specific dedicated page for this.

Have you looked at https://www.gov.uk/tax-on-your-private-pension/pension-tax-relief and https://www.unbiased.co.uk/life/pensions-retirement/how-to-claim-higher-rate-tax-relief-on-pension-contributions

Albermarle

Two points 

Higher rate tax relief is very generous, and has helped many people build up large pension pots with help from the Exchequer.

You are never going to build up a decent pot adding only 3 %.

Taking the two things together , you should significantly increase your contributions if at all possible ,

AlanP_2

Third point - Salary Sacrifice is not "after tax" pension payment. It avoids NI (as well as tax) by becoming a contribution by the employer in exchange for which you forego 3% of your salary.

xylophone

I am assuming that the OP means that the workplace pension scheme operates "relief at source" rather than "net pay".

3% is a very small employee contribution.

https://www.gov.uk/workplace-pensions/what-you-your-employer-and-the-government-pay