Tax Refund

[chin85]

Last summer I worked full time for 3 months, and paid tax under the assumption that I was earning �10,000 per annum. I've recently started a part time job and for the first few months my tax code was wrong and I was paying 20% tax. So far this financial year I have paid �400 in tax and won't earn more than the �4000 threshold by April. Does this mean I will definately get this �400 back and do I have to wait until the end of the financial year to do so? Also, does anyone know what I need to do to get this money back?

[corganiser]

Based upon the info you've provided, yes you should get a refund of the tax paid.

 

Easiest way to start the ball rolling would be to phone your local tax office - you could try online contact but in this case I'd recommend an old fashioned call.

[Hgrove]

I have been in this situation a number of times in my life and I must say I have always found the IR extremely offhand and unhelpful.  They have always talked down at me implying I did not know what I was talking about, or it had nothing to do with them.  However, the refunds usually seemed to just happen... by themselves.  The machine starts rolling and you get a cheque... a year later... or two... when it suits them.

[corganiser]

Hgrove is certainly correct historically but things seem to be changing. IR appear to have adopted the phony customer line which dogs many government departments. But it does make them easier to speak to, even if it comes across as insincere. My route would still be to talk to them because I firmly believe it accelerates the refund process.

[Pinotage]

Further to the other comments, I went to the local office of the IR (look in telephone book) with a query. They were extremely helpful and identified I was due some money back and initiated the refund immediately and I had a cheque within a week. I was very impressed

[ian.miller]

Can't really fault the IR here.

I had some relatively messy (for me) affairs becuase I went travelling half way through a year yet received rental income and had to do self assement on the lot, all filled out with a couple of phone calls to check things with them. Even answered the phone quickly on a sunday which suprised me.

Plus considering how complicated things are with tax, I'm suprised how straight forward their documentation is etc.