Audio Summary of the Key Points of the Article:
How to Get Your Tax Overview from HMRC in the UK: Step-by-Step Guide to Accessing Your Tax Records
If you're a UK taxpayer and need to check your tax records, you can obtain your Tax Overview from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) through your Personal Tax Account (PTA). The process is straightforward, but knowing the right steps can save you time and effort. This article explains how to access your tax overview, what it includes, and why you might need it.
What is an HMRC Tax Overview?
A Tax Overview is an official record of the tax you have paid to HMRC. It includes details about your Income Tax, National Insurance contributions, Self Assessment tax returns, tax refunds, and more. This document is particularly useful when applying for a mortgage or loan, proving your income, or checking for any overpayments or underpayments.
Step 1: Setting Up and Logging Into Your Personal Tax Account
The most efficient way to get your tax overview is via HMRC’s Personal Tax Account. This is an online service that allows taxpayers to manage their tax details in one place.
How to Access Your Personal Tax Account
Go to the HMRC website: Visit the Personal Tax Account sign-in page.
Sign in using Government Gateway or GOV.UK Verify:
If you already have a Government Gateway ID, enter your username and password.
If you don’t have one, you’ll need to create an account.
You may also use GOV.UK Verify, which requires an identity check.
Prove your identity (if required): HMRC may ask for additional verification. You may need:
Passport or driving licence
National Insurance number
Recent payslips or P60
Navigate to your tax summary: Once logged in, you can access your Income Tax overview, tax code, and previous tax returns.
Step 2: Getting Your Tax Overview from HMRC
Once inside your Personal Tax Account, you can access different tax-related documents. To get your Tax Overview, follow these steps:
If You're an Employee (PAYE System)
If you are employed and pay tax via Pay As You Earn (PAYE):
Check your Income Tax details:
Go to “Check your Income Tax for the current year” (HMRC link).
View your tax code, estimated tax bill, and allowances.
If something looks incorrect, you can update it.
Download your Tax Year Overview:
Click on “View tax year overview”.
Select the tax year you need (e.g., 2023/24 or 2024/25).
Print or download the document.
If You Are Self-Employed (Self Assessment)
Self-employed individuals need an SA302 Tax Calculation and Tax Year Overview to show their income and tax paid.
Go to Self Assessment section:
Log into your Personal Tax Account.
Click on “Self Assessment” → “More details”.
Download your SA302 and Tax Year Overview:
Select “Tax Calculation” to get your SA302.
Click “Tax Year Overview” to download a full summary.
Request an HMRC-certified document (if needed):Some banks require HMRC-verified documents. You can call HMRC Self Assessment helpline to request a paper copy.
📌 Important: If you cannot access your PTA or don’t have an online account, you can call HMRC at 0300 200 3310 to request a tax overview.
What Information Does the Tax Overview Show?
Your tax overview provides a detailed breakdown of your tax situation. It includes:
Tax Document | Purpose |
Tax Code | Shows how much tax-free income you can earn before paying tax. |
Income Tax Summary | Breakdown of earnings, tax paid, and allowances. |
SA302 Tax Calculation | Shows Self Assessment income, tax due, and payments made. |
Tax Year Overview | Summary of all tax paid in a given year. |
National Insurance Contributions | Record of NI payments for pensions and benefits eligibility. |
Why Do You Need a Tax Overview?
Mortgage Applications: Lenders often ask for an SA302 and Tax Year Overview to verify your income.
Proof of Income for Loans or Rentals: Landlords and financial institutions may require official tax records.
Checking for Overpayments: You might be due a tax refund if you’ve overpaid during the year.
Ensuring Correct Tax Code: A wrong tax code could mean underpaying or overpaying tax.
National Insurance & State Pension Checks: Confirming your NI record ensures you’re on track for full state pension benefits.
What to Do If Your Tax Overview is Incorrect
Sometimes, mistakes happen. If you find an error in your tax overview, here’s what you can do:
Update Your Tax Code Online:
If your tax code is wrong, update your details via HMRC's tax code service.
Contact HMRC Directly:
Call 0300 200 3300 for PAYE queries.
Call 0300 200 3310 for Self Assessment issues.
File a Tax Return Correction:
If your Self Assessment details are incorrect, log into your account and amend your return.
Request a Refund if Overcharged:
If HMRC owes you money, you can claim a tax refund online.
Common Problems and Solutions
Issue | Solution |
Can’t log into Personal Tax Account? | Reset password via Government Gateway or call HMRC. |
Tax code looks incorrect? | Check it on HMRC’s tax code service and update income details. |
Self-employed but no SA302? | Ensure your tax return is submitted and processed by HMRC. |
Bank needs a paper tax overview? | Request a copy from HMRC by phone. |
Understanding Your HMRC Tax Overview: Tax Codes, Income Tax Calculation, and Fixing Errors
This part will break down key sections of your tax overview, explain how to interpret your tax calculation, and discuss tax thresholds for 2024/25. We’ll also look at common tax errors and how to fix them.
Understanding Your Tax Overview: Breaking It Down
Your Tax Overview provides an official record of your income, tax paid, and National Insurance (NI) contributions. The exact format depends on whether you are an employee (PAYE) or self-employed (Self Assessment), but key elements remain the same.
1. Understanding Your Tax Code
Your tax code determines how much tax-free income you can earn before paying tax. You can find your current tax code in your Personal Tax Account or through your payslip or P60.
For the tax year 2024/25, common tax codes include:
Tax Code | Meaning |
1257L | Standard tax code for most people, meaning £12,570 tax-free income. |
BR | Basic rate (20%) applied to all earnings – often for second jobs. |
D0 | Higher rate (40%) tax applied to all earnings. |
K1250 | You owe tax from a previous year, so extra tax is deducted. |
If your tax code looks incorrect, you should update it via your Personal Tax Account or contact HMRC.
Example: If you have two jobs and see BR on one of your payslips, it means all income from that job is being taxed at 20%. This might not be correct, and you may be entitled to a tax refund.
2. Breaking Down Your Tax Calculation
Your tax calculation shows how much tax you owe based on your income. Here’s a breakdown of the Income Tax bands for 2024/25:
Income Range | Tax Rate | Who It Applies To |
Up to £12,570 | 0% (Personal Allowance) | Everyone |
£12,571 – £50,270 | 20% (Basic Rate) | Most employees and self-employed individuals |
£50,271 – £125,140 | 40% (Higher Rate) | Higher earners |
Over £125,140 | 45% (Additional Rate) | Very high earners |
💡 Example: If your total taxable income is £55,000, you will pay:
0% on the first £12,570 (Personal Allowance).
20% on the next £37,700 (£7,540 tax).
40% on the remaining £4,730 (£1,892 tax).
Total tax paid = £9,432.
3. National Insurance Contributions (NICs)
National Insurance (NI) is paid to qualify for State Pension and benefits. The rates for 2024/25 are:
Employment Type | Weekly Earnings | NI Rate |
Employees (Class 1 NICs) | Below £242 | 0% |
£242 – £967 | 8% | |
Above £967 | 2% | |
Self-Employed (Class 2 NICs) | Profits above £12,570 | £3.45 per week |
Self-Employed (Class 4 NICs) | Profits £12,570 – £50,270 | 6% |
Above £50,270 | 2% |
Example: If you earn £40,000 as an employee, you’ll pay:8% on £725 per week (£58 per week or £3,016 per year)2% on earnings above £967 per week
If you see errors in your NI record, you may not qualify for a full State Pension. You can check your NI contributions in your Personal Tax Account.
Common Tax Errors & How to Fix Them
Tax mistakes can be costly. Here are five common tax errors and how to resolve them.
1. Wrong Tax Code
Problem: You have the wrong tax code, meaning you are paying too much or too little tax.
Solution:
Check your tax code via HMRC’s online tax code service.
Update your job or pension details if needed.
Call HMRC at 0300 200 3300 if unsure.
Example: You get a second job, and your tax code changes to BR, meaning all income is taxed at 20%. If this is incorrect, update your details online.
2. Overpaid Tax
Problem: Your employer deducted too much tax from your salary.
Solution:
Check your payslips and P60 or P45.
Claim a refund via HMRC’s tax refund tool.
Example: You left your job halfway through the year but continued being taxed as if earning the full annual salary. You may be owed a refund.
3. Self Assessment Late Penalties
Problem: You filed your Self Assessment tax return late.
Solution:
The penalty is £100 if you miss the 31 January deadline.
After 3 months, HMRC adds £10 per day (up to £900).
Appeal the penalty if you have a reasonable excuse (serious illness, IT issues).
4. Missing National Insurance Contributions
Problem: Your NI record shows gaps, which may affect your pension.
Solution:
Check your NI record online.
If missing, you can pay voluntary contributions.
5. Self-Employed Tax Errors (SA302 Issues)
Problem: Your SA302 tax calculation isn’t available.
Solution:
Ensure your Self Assessment tax return is fully processed.
If a bank requires an SA302, download it from your Personal Tax Account.
What If You Can't Access Your Tax Overview?
If you struggle to retrieve your tax overview, here’s what to do:
Issue | Solution |
Lost Government Gateway ID | Recover it via the HMRC login page. |
Can’t verify identity | Use an alternative ID (passport, driving licence). |
No access to online services | Call HMRC for a paper copy. |
HMRC website issues | Try using the HMRC app instead. |
💡 Tip: If you’re self-employed and can’t access your tax documents, call HMRC at 0300 200 3310 for Self Assessment support.
Claiming Tax Refunds, Correcting Past Tax Returns, and Using Your HMRC Tax Overview for Financial Purposes
This part will explain:
✔ How to claim a tax refund if you've overpaid
✔ How to correct past tax returns
✔ How to check your State Pension forecast✔ What to do if you need tax documents for a mortgage or loan
Claiming a Tax Refund from HMRC
If you’ve overpaid tax, you can claim a refund through HMRC's online service or by post. Overpayments can happen due to:
Being on the wrong tax code
Changing jobs and being taxed twice
Overpaying tax through Self Assessment
Paying emergency tax when starting a new job
Redundancy payments or pension withdrawals being taxed incorrectly
Step 1: Check If You’re Owed a Tax Refund
Before you claim, check if you have paid too much tax. You can do this by:
Logging into your Personal Tax Account to see your tax payments.
Comparing your P60 (end-of-year tax summary) with your actual earnings.
Checking your payslips or P45 (if you left a job mid-year).
Using HMRC’s Tax Checker tool (Check your Income Tax).
Example: If your tax code was BR for part of the year, you may have overpaid tax.
Step 2: How to Claim a Refund
A) If You’re Employed (PAYE System)
Go to HMRC’s online refund service.
Fill in your details, including your National Insurance number.
Submit your claim and wait for HMRC to process it (usually 2-4 weeks).
Alternative: If you left a job and overpaid tax, you may receive a P800 tax calculation from HMRC, telling you how much you’re owed.
B) If You’re Self-Employed (Self Assessment)
Log into your Self Assessment account.
Check your SA302 tax calculation.
If you’ve overpaid, request a refund from the Self Assessment portal.
💡 Tip: Refunds for Self Assessment can take 4-6 weeks, depending on HMRC processing times.
C) If You Paid Emergency Tax
If your employer put you on an emergency tax code, you’ll likely get a refund automatically once your tax code is corrected. If not, call HMRC at 0300 200 3300.
Correcting a Mistake in a Previous Tax Return
If you made a mistake in a Self Assessment tax return, you can amend it within 12 months of the filing deadline.
How to Amend a Self Assessment Return
Log into your Personal Tax Account.
Click on “Self Assessment” > “More Details”.
Select “Amend Tax Return” for the year you need to change.
Submit the correction and wait for confirmation.
Example: If you forgot to include business expenses in your 2023/24 return, you can amend it before 31 January 2026.
How to Amend a PAYE (Employee) Tax Return
If you’re employed and your employer made an error, you must:
Ask your employer to correct your PAYE records.
If they can’t, call HMRC (0300 200 3300) and provide payslips as evidence.
Checking Your State Pension Forecast
Your National Insurance (NI) record affects how much State Pension you’ll receive. If your NI contributions are missing, you may need to pay voluntary contributions.
How to Check Your NI Record
Click on “Check your National Insurance record”.
Review any gaps in your record.
💡 Tip: You need at least 10 years of NI contributions to qualify for a State Pension, and 35 years to receive the full amount (£221.20 per week in 2024/25).
Paying Voluntary National Insurance Contributions
If you have gaps in your NI record, you can pay voluntary contributions to boost your pension. The deadline for backdating contributions to 2006 has been extended to April 2025.
Getting Tax Documents for a Mortgage or Loan
Many banks require proof of income for mortgage applications. They typically ask for:
✔ SA302 Tax Calculation
✔ Tax Year Overview
✔ P60 (for employees)
How to Get an SA302 for a Mortgage
Go to Self Assessment → More Details.
Click on “Tax Calculation” (SA302) and download it.
Download your Tax Year Overview for the relevant years.
💡 Tip: Some lenders only accept paper copies directly from HMRC. Call 0300 200 3310 to request a printed SA302.
Example: If you’re self-employed and applying for a mortgage, your lender may require SA302s from the last 3 years.
How Long Does HMRC Keep Your Tax Records?
HMRC holds tax records for at least 6 years. You should keep copies of your tax documents for the same period.
Document | How Long to Keep It |
P60/P45 | 6 years |
Payslips | At least 1 year |
Self Assessment Returns (SA302s) | 6 years |
Tax Year Overview | 6 years |
💡 Tip: If HMRC investigates your taxes, they may ask for records going back 20 years in cases of fraud.
Final Tips for Managing Your Taxes Efficiently
✔ Check your Personal Tax Account regularly to avoid surprises.
✔ Ensure your tax code is correct to prevent overpayments.
✔ Download tax documents early if you need them for loans or mortgages.
✔ File Self Assessment returns on time to avoid penalties.
✔ Check your State Pension forecast to ensure a full NI record.
Getting your Tax Overview from HMRC is a straightforward process, but it’s crucial to understand your tax calculation, fix errors, and claim refunds when necessary.
By following the steps in this guide, you can:
✔ Easily access your tax overview via your Personal Tax Account.
✔ Understand your Income Tax, NI, and Self Assessment details.
✔ Fix mistakes, claim refunds, and avoid tax penalties.
✔ Retrieve the right documents for mortgages or financial applications.
For the latest tax updates, always check GOV.UK or contact HMRC directly.
💡 Next Step: If you’re self-employed or a business owner, consider hiring an accountant to ensure your taxes are accurate and fully optimized.
Summary of Key Points on How to Get Your Tax Overview from HMRC
You can access your Tax Overview by logging into your Personal Tax Account via the HMRC website using your Government Gateway ID.
Your Tax Overview includes details about Income Tax, National Insurance contributions, tax refunds, and Self Assessment records for the current and past years.
If you are self-employed, you will need an SA302 Tax Calculation and Tax Year Overview, both of which can be downloaded from your Self Assessment account.
If your tax code is incorrect, you may be paying too much or too little tax, and you should update it via HMRC’s online tax code service or call 0300 200 3300.
You can claim a tax refund if you have overpaid by submitting a request through HMRC’s online service or calling HMRC if necessary.
If you make a mistake in your Self Assessment tax return, you can amend it within 12 months via your Personal Tax Account.
You should check your National Insurance record to ensure you have enough contributions for a full State Pension and make voluntary payments if needed.
If applying for a mortgage or loan, lenders often require an SA302 and Tax Year Overview, which can be downloaded from HMRC’s online portal or requested by phone.
HMRC retains tax records for at least six years, so it is essential to keep copies of your tax documents in case of audits or financial applications.
To avoid tax issues, regularly review your Personal Tax Account, ensure your tax code is correct, and file Self Assessment returns on time to prevent penalties.
FAQs
Q1: Can you get your tax overview from HMRC without a Personal Tax Account?
A: No, you need a Personal Tax Account to access your tax overview online, but you can request a paper version by calling HMRC at 0300 200 3300.
Q2: How long does it take to receive a paper copy of your tax overview from HMRC?
A: If you request a paper tax overview, it typically takes 7 to 14 working days to arrive by post.
Q3: Can you access your tax overview through the HMRC app?
A: Yes, you can check your Income Tax details and tax code through the HMRC app, but SA302 tax calculations and Tax Year Overviews must be downloaded from the Personal Tax Account online.
Q4: Is there a fee for obtaining your tax overview from HMRC?
A: No, obtaining a tax overview from HMRC is completely free of charge whether you download it online or request a paper copy.
Q5: Can an accountant or financial advisor request your tax overview on your behalf?
A: Yes, an authorised accountant or tax agent can access your tax overview through HMRC’s Agent Services Account, but you must give them permission first.
Q6: Can you get a tax overview if you have not filed a Self Assessment tax return?
A: Yes, employees paying tax through PAYE can get a tax overview, but Self Assessment taxpayers need to submit a return before accessing their SA302 or Tax Year Overview.
Q7: What should you do if your tax overview does not match your actual earnings?
A: If your tax overview contains errors, check your tax code and reported income, and if needed, update your details via your Personal Tax Account or call HMRC.
Q8: How can you check if your employer has correctly reported your income to HMRC?
A: You can log into your Personal Tax Account and check your PAYE income details, which should match your payslips and P60.
Q9: Can you get a tax overview for multiple years at once?
A: Yes, you can download Tax Year Overviews for different tax years from your Personal Tax Account, but SA302 forms must be downloaded one year at a time.
Q10: Does a tax overview show National Insurance contributions?
A: No, your tax overview does not include your National Insurance record, but you can check your NI contributions separately through your Personal Tax Account.
Q11: What should you do if you can’t log into your Personal Tax Account to access your tax overview?
A: If you forget your Government Gateway ID, you can reset it online, and if you still can’t access your account, call HMRC at 0300 200 3600 for assistance.
Q12: Can you use a tax overview as proof of income for visa applications?
A: Yes, HMRC tax overviews, especially SA302 forms, are often accepted as proof of income for visa applications and other legal purposes.
Q13: How can you update your tax overview if your income details are incorrect?
A: If your tax overview is incorrect, update your employment and pension details in your Personal Tax Account or call HMRC to correct any discrepancies.
Q14: Can you request a tax overview over the phone instead of online?
A: Yes, you can call HMRC at 0300 200 3300 to request a paper tax overview, which will be sent to your registered address.
Q15: Does a tax overview show student loan repayments?
A: No, your tax overview does not show student loan deductions, but you can check your loan balance through the Student Loans Company (SLC) website.
Q16: Can a tax overview help if you are being investigated by HMRC?
A: Yes, a Tax Year Overview and SA302 can help prove your tax compliance if HMRC is reviewing your tax records or conducting an investigation.
Q17: Will HMRC notify you if your tax overview changes?
A: No, HMRC does not send notifications when your Tax Overview updates, so it’s important to check your Personal Tax Account regularly for any changes.
Q18: Can you request a tax overview if you live outside the UK?
A: Yes, UK expatriates can request a tax overview online or call HMRC’s international helpline at +44 135 535 9022.
Q19: Is a Tax Year Overview the same as an SA302?
A: No, an SA302 is a detailed tax calculation, while a Tax Year Overview is a summary of tax paid—both are often required for mortgage applications.
Q20: Can HMRC provide a duplicate of a past tax overview if you lose it?
A: Yes, you can re-download past tax overviews from your Personal Tax Account, or if you need a paper copy, request one from HMRC.
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