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Tax time and benefits: United Kingdom.

A take-home sheet for people at the session. Other countries: United States · Canada · Australia.

Moraph for Good · Fluent

Tax time and benefits: United Kingdom

Handout · moraph.org/commons/sessions/fluent/tax-time-and-benefits

Filing a return can be how refunds, credits and some benefits reach you. This sheet has what to keep, how to spot a scam, and the free official help where you live.

Why file

  • Tax taken from your pay may come back
  • Some credits are only paid if you file
  • Some benefits use your tax information

Free help first

  • Look for free official help before paying
  • Ask a paid preparer the full price first
  • A refund loan is a loan: ask what it costs

Keep these

  • Copies of every return you file
  • Income statements and receipts for claims
  • Every letter from the tax or benefit office

Scam signs

  • Threats of arrest over tax
  • Payment by gift card, crypto or payment app
  • A refund link sent by text or email
  • Go to the official site yourself to check

In the United Kingdom

  • Most tax is taken automatically. Tax is usually deducted automatically from wages and pensions. People with other income report it in a Self Assessment tax return, and if you need to file for the first time you must normally tell HMRC by 5 October after the tax year ends, or you could be fined.
  • Your personal tax account. HMRC’s personal tax account lets you check your income from work and the Income Tax you paid over the previous 5 years, manage a Self Assessment return and find your Unique Taxpayer Reference.
  • Refunds and allowances. GOV.UK has a free tool to check how to claim a tax refund if you have paid too much, for example on job expenses such as work clothing or tools. Marriage Allowance lets a lower earner transfer part of their Personal Allowance to a husband, wife or civil partner; it isn’t open to couples who aren’t married or in a civil partnership.
  • Benefits calculators. GOV.UK links to independent benefits calculators that are free and anonymous, to check what you could be entitled to, including Universal Credit and Council Tax Reduction.
  • HMRC scams. HMRC will never tell you about a tax rebate, or ask for personal or payment information, by text message. Forward suspicious texts to 60599 and suspicious emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk.

Official places to check:

  • GOV.UK: www.gov.uk/self-assessment-tax-returns
  • GOV.UK: www.gov.uk/personal-tax-account
  • GOV.UK: www.gov.uk/claim-tax-refund
  • GOV.UK: www.gov.uk/marriage-allowance
  • GOV.UK: www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators
  • GOV.UK: www.gov.uk/find-hmrc-contacts/report-suspicious-hmrc-emails-texts-social-media-accounts-and-phone-calls

General information, not advice about your own situation. Checked 19 October 2026. If an official source says something different, it is right. Free to copy and adapt. moraph.org/commons/sessions/fluent/tax-time-and-benefits