Overview

• HMRC is dispatching P800 letters to four million UK households between June and August to notify recipients of possible income tax overpayments.
• Taxpayers can reclaim refunds by entering their P800 reference and National Insurance number online for bank transfers paid within five working days.
• Those choosing cheques will automatically receive them within 14 days of their letter date or can request one with a six-week processing time.
• Overpayments often stem from incorrect tax codes for PAYE employees and pensioners, with claims available up to four years back and potential extensions for HMRC errors.
• HMRC and consumer groups have issued warnings that the mail-out has been exploited by fraudsters, stressing that no genuine HMRC communications will come via phone, text or email.