HMRC has refunded £627 million in overpaid pension tax. Did you overpay?

Pension savers across the country could be due a rebate after new HMRC figures show that some have been wrongly taxed after drawing from their pension pots. Hundreds of thousands of people have been overcharged in tax since new pension rules were introduced back in 2015.

As you may already know, pension freedoms gave savers more control and allowed pensioners over 55 to withdraw money from their pots whenever they like. 

Under the rules, the first 25% of withdrawals are tax free, while the remaining 75% is added to taxable income for the year. 

Since changes were introduced, more than £37 billion has been taken out of pensions savings.

The Sun claims that the overpaid tax comes primarily from cases where savers were still working. HMRC wrongly applied emergency tax on the first 25% of withdrawals that it has incorrectly categorised as additional earnings.

Pension savers who make larger, inconsistent withdrawals are at a much higher risk of being emergency taxed. While pension freedoms allow over 55s to access their retirement savings more flexibly, they certainly increase your chances of falling foul of the taxman.

Of the £627 million, the taxman has paid back £27 million in overpaid tax during lockdown according to Which?. The average amount that each person received was £3,560. This was an £845 increase on payouts during the previous quarter. 

Think you’ve overpaid on your tax bill? Our friends at AP Robinson may be able to help. You can reach them here: https://aprobinson.biz/