Claiming back higher rate

Albermarle

Organgrinder said:

Albermarle said:

Organgrinder said:

Thank you. Next question about when. 

I don't do self assessment. I've just searched and it says Jan 31st for submitting pension details. If so I assume they'll just recalculate my tax again.

Normally if you do not do self assessment, the PAYE system will automatically calculate your tax for 25/26 sometime later in 2026. In theory it should be around August but in the last couple of years it has been more like November, give or take a month.  

Yes, this year's was incredibly late. 

However in order for the system to calculate my tax they will need details of my pension contributions. Fingers crossed I'll be able to inform HMRC in April but if I can't I need to know when I can send it in.

As above just inform them asap once the tax year has finished.
They will also assume you will make the same contributions in 26/27, and adjust your tax code on that basis .
Normally this would mean you would pay less tax each month.
If you do not actually intend to make the same level of contributions in the next tax year, you will need to inform them ( with a more accurate estimate), so you do not end up not paying enough tax, and getting a bill down the line.
Or you could just let it ride and pay the bill/tax back later.

Organgrinder

Albermarle said:

Organgrinder said:

Albermarle said:

Organgrinder said:

Thank you. Next question about when. 

I don't do self assessment. I've just searched and it says Jan 31st for submitting pension details. If so I assume they'll just recalculate my tax again.

Normally if you do not do self assessment, the PAYE system will automatically calculate your tax for 25/26 sometime later in 2026. In theory it should be around August but in the last couple of years it has been more like November, give or take a month.  

Yes, this year's was incredibly late. 

However in order for the system to calculate my tax they will need details of my pension contributions. Fingers crossed I'll be able to inform HMRC in April but if I can't I need to know when I can send it in.

As above just inform them asap once the tax year has finished.
They will also assume you will make the same contributions in 26/27, and adjust your tax code on that basis .
Normally this would mean you would pay less tax each month.
If you do not actually intend to make the same level of contributions in the next tax year, you will need to inform them ( with a more accurate estimate), so you do not end up not paying enough tax, and getting a bill down the line.
Or you could just let it ride and pay the bill/tax back later.

I'll be paying the same for the next two years. But I'll stop being a higher rate tax payer this year as I'll be retiring.

(Still working but only cos I want to top my pension fund up a bit).

Albermarle

Organgrinder said:

Albermarle said:

Organgrinder said:

Albermarle said:

Organgrinder said:

Thank you. Next question about when. 

I don't do self assessment. I've just searched and it says Jan 31st for submitting pension details. If so I assume they'll just recalculate my tax again.

Normally if you do not do self assessment, the PAYE system will automatically calculate your tax for 25/26 sometime later in 2026. In theory it should be around August but in the last couple of years it has been more like November, give or take a month.  

Yes, this year's was incredibly late. 

However in order for the system to calculate my tax they will need details of my pension contributions. Fingers crossed I'll be able to inform HMRC in April but if I can't I need to know when I can send it in.

As above just inform them asap once the tax year has finished.
They will also assume you will make the same contributions in 26/27, and adjust your tax code on that basis .
Normally this would mean you would pay less tax each month.
If you do not actually intend to make the same level of contributions in the next tax year, you will need to inform them ( with a more accurate estimate), so you do not end up not paying enough tax, and getting a bill down the line.
Or you could just let it ride and pay the bill/tax back later.

I'll be paying the same for the next two years. But I'll stop being a higher rate tax payer this year as I'll be retiring.

(Still working but only cos I want to top my pension fund up a bit).

When you know you will not be a higher rate taxpayer, there will be no  need to inform HMRC of your pension contributions.
Then of course when you are have a tax year where you have no earned income at all, you are limited to adding £2880 to a pension ( with £720 tax relief added to that) 

Organgrinder

It's why I want to work a bit longer. I'll only be earning about £13k a year but want to put more in than the £3600 allowed.