Tax refunds (and Ronnie's 'refunds')

Lesson 10 of 16 in our free Work, Payslips & Tax guide: a 5-minute money game with the key points below.

Shown for England. Some rules here are different in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: the lesson shows your nation's version.

This lesson is in the full version.

Free with a code from your uni, college, council, landlord or employer (worth £600/year). Lesson 1 of Work, Payslips & Tax is free for everyone.

Questions you'll answer

Mo clicked a link and typed in card details. What first?

Red flag: “HMRC: You are eligible for a tax refund of £487.22.” — HMRC doesn't text you about refunds with an amount and a link.
Red flag: “Claim within 24 HOURS or it will be cancelled.” — Fake urgency. Ronnie's whole personality.
Red flag: “Verify your card details here: hmrc-refund-claim.co” — Not a gov.uk address — and HMRC never asks for card details for a refund.
Your tax code changes and the overpaid tax appears in next month's pay → Legit. That's how most PAYE refunds actually arrive.
A DM: 'I'm a tax refund agent, send me your Government Gateway login' → Ronnie. Never share your login. Ever. Not even with a nice avatar.
A notice in your HMRC online account saying you're due a refund → Legit. Official channel, logged in yourself.
A call saying there's a warrant for your arrest unless you pay tax in gift cards → Ronnie. HMRC does not take gift cards. Nobody legit does.
An email from a .gov.uk-lookalike address with a 'claim now' button → Ronnie. Don't click. Go to gov.uk yourself.
Fact: “You can forward scam texts to 7726 for free.” — It spells SPAM on a keypad and helps networks block them.
Myth: “Paid 'refund agents' are the only way to claim tax back.” — You can claim directly from HMRC for free. Some agents take a big cut.
Myth: “HMRC sends refund links by text so you get your money faster.” — Nope. That's the scam's whole pitch.