If you’ve ever taken out Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) on loans, credit cards, car finance, or even mortgages, you may still be eligible to claim back income tax on the compensation you received—especially if you haven’t checked your refund status in previous years.
PPI was designed to cover repayments on various types of credit if you were unable to make payments due to illness, unemployment, or other unforeseen circumstances. However, many were mis-sold PPI, leading to a wave of compensation payouts.
In this 2024 guide, we’ll walk you through how to claim back overpaid income tax on your PPI compensation, with the latest legal updates, tips for individuals and businesses, and answers to frequently asked questions.
What Is PPI Claim?
PPI (Payment Protection Insurance) was an insurance product that covered repayments on financial products like loans, overdrafts, mortgages, or car finance in case of illness, accidents, unemployment, or other life events. However, PPI policies were often mis-sold, which led to widespread claims and refunds.
If you received a PPI compensation payout, a portion of it might have been taxed, particularly the statutory interest. You may be entitled to claim some or all of this money back, depending on your tax situation.
The PPI Compensation and Tax Refund Process
Your PPI compensation generally consists of three parts:
- Refund of PPI premiums: The money you paid for the PPI policy itself.
- Statutory interest: An 8% annual interest is added to compensate for the time you were without your money.
- Refund of additional loan interest: Compensation for any extra interest you were charged due to the PPI policy.
HMRC automatically deducts 20% tax from the statutory interest portion of your PPI compensation. However, depending on your total income and savings, you might be able to claim some or all of this tax back.
Eligibility To Claim Tax Back On PPI
To determine if you can reclaim tax on your PPI compensation, review the following factors:
a) Personal Savings Allowance (PSA)
- If you are a basic rate taxpayer with a total annual income (including your PPI payout) under £1,000 in interest, you might have overpaid tax and be eligible for a refund.
- For higher-rate taxpayers, the PSA is £500. Additional rate taxpayers do not receive a PSA. It’s important to check your tax band and how much interest you’ve received.
b) Tax-Free Allowances
- If your total income (including your PPI payout) falls within your personal allowance (£12,570 for the 2024 tax year), you may be due a tax refund.
c) Previous Year Adjustments
- If you received a PPI payout in the last four years and haven’t claimed a refund, HMRC allows you to claim for overpaid tax going back up to four years from the current tax year. It’s worth checking if you can get money back for previous payments.
Steps To Claim Tax Back On Payment Protection Insurance
Step 1: Gather Documentation
Collect all relevant paperwork, such as your PPI payout statement, tax forms, and details about the statutory interest deducted. This includes documents from your bank, building society, or financial advisor. If your PPI complaint was handled by a third party, check their commission charges and whether they provided adequate records.
Step 2: Complete Form R40 or Self-Assessment
If you’re an employee or not self-employed, you’ll need to fill out the R40 form to reclaim overpaid tax. For self-employed individuals or business owners, include PPI compensation details in your Self-Assessment tax return. HMRC’s website provides an easy-to-follow online system for submitting these forms digitally in 2024.
Step 3: Submit to HMRC
Submit your completed R40 form online or through the Self-Assessment portal. Ensure your contact details are accurate, as HMRC may need to follow up for additional information. If your documentation is in order, HMRC will process the claim and send your refund directly to your bank account.
Step 4: Wait for a Response
HMRC typically takes a few weeks to process tax refund claims. Keep an eye on your email and post for any correspondence. In some cases, you might receive interest on the refund, though this additional interest will also be taxable.
Tips To Claim PPI Repayment
For Small Business Owners:
- Expenses and Deductions: If your business had PPI on a loan or credit card, that cost may have been deductible as a business expense. When receiving a refund, adjust your taxable income for the relevant tax year. Consult with a tax advisor to ensure accuracy.
- Digital Record-Keeping: With HMRC’s Making Tax Digital (MTD) requirements in full effect for 2024, use accounting software to track your PPI claims and tax refunds. This will help you remain compliant and streamline your tax reporting.
For Self-Employed Individuals:
- Self-Assessment Adjustments: Include any statutory interest from your PPI compensation in your Self-Assessment tax return. If you’ve overpaid, submit a claim for the refund using either the R40 form or by adjusting your tax return.
- Business Loans & PPI: If you had PPI on a business loan, your refund may affect your taxable profits. Ensure your business accounts accurately reflect this change.
General Advice for Individuals:
- Be Mindful of Tax Bands: If your PPI compensation pushed you into a higher tax bracket, your overall tax liability could be affected. Review how this impacts your allowances and whether you might be liable for additional taxes.
- Check for Missed Claims: Don’t forget—you can still claim back taxes for previous years’ PPI payouts up to four years after the tax year in which the payout occurred. In 2024, this means you can claim for payouts from 2019–2020 onward.
PPI Tax Refund Claims Cover
A PPI tax refund specifically reclaims the 20% tax deducted from the statutory interest portion of your compensation. This is where the majority of your refund will come from. Here’s what you need to know:
- Statutory Interest: This compensates you for being without your money. HMRC automatically deducts 20%, but depending on your PSA, you may be eligible for a tax refund.
- Interest on Refunds: If HMRC adds interest to your tax refund, this too is taxable and should be included in your income for the relevant tax year.
What Is PPI Policy?
A Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) policy was designed to cover repayments on loans, credit cards, mortgages, or other forms of credit if you were unable to work due to illness, accident, or unemployment. It was sold widely in the UK, often without customers being fully aware of what they were purchasing, leading to many cases of mis-selling.
Key features of a PPI policy typically include:
- Coverage Scope: PPI was intended to cover monthly payments for a set period, usually 12 to 24 months.
- Eligibility Criteria: Many policies had stringent conditions, meaning claims could be rejected if you were self-employed, had pre-existing medical conditions, or were of a certain age.
- Cost: The premiums for PPI were often high and added to the overall cost of the loan or credit product.
If you believe you have mis-sold a PPI policy, you may have already pursued a refund through the financial ombudsman service. However, understanding the details of your policy can help in ensuring that you’ve claimed everything you’re entitled to, including any tax back on compensation.
PPI Payouts: What Do They Include?
When you successfully claimed compensation for a mis-sold PPI policy, the payout typically included three components:
- Refund of PPI Premiums: This is the amount you paid for the PPI policy itself.
- Refund of Associated Interest: This covers any additional interest you were charged on your credit due to the PPI policy.
- Statutory Interest: This is an additional 8% interest added by the lender to compensate for being deprived of your money. This portion is taxable, and it’s from this part of the payout that HMRC usually deducts 20% tax automatically.
It’s crucial to understand that while the PPI premiums and associated interest are refunded without tax deductions, the statutory interest is taxed. Therefore, checking if you’re eligible to claim some of this tax back is essential, especially if your total income for the year, including the payout, remained below certain thresholds.
PPI Deadline: Can You Still Claim?
The final deadline to submit PPI claims was 29th August 2019. This deadline was set by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as the final date for customers to complain about the mis-selling of PPI.
However, there are a few scenarios where you may still be able to claim:
Exceptional Circumstances: If you were unable to submit a claim before the deadline due to exceptional circumstances (such as severe illness or other unavoidable reasons), some financial institutions may still consider your claim. This is rare and often requires substantial proof.
Claiming Tax Back on PPI Payouts: Even if you missed the deadline to claim PPI itself, you can still claim tax back on the statutory interest part of a PPI payout you received before the deadline. You can claim for up to four years after the end of the tax year in which the interest was paid.
PPI Claims from a Different Country: If you lived abroad or had a foreign address at the time of the deadline, and did not receive adequate information about the PPI claims deadline, you may be able to submit a claim even after the deadline. Consult with a legal advisor or financial expert specializing in international claims for more guidance.
Why PPI Deadline Matters?
The PPI deadline marked the closure of a significant chapter in UK financial services. Before this deadline, millions of people submitted claims, resulting in billions of pounds being paid out in compensation. If you’ve received a PPI payout, it’s essential to ensure you’ve reclaimed any overpaid tax on the statutory interest. Missing out on this could mean leaving money on the table that’s rightfully yours.
Action steps if you missed the PPI deadline:
- Check for Existing PPI Payouts: If you received a payout before the deadline and haven’t checked if you can claim back the tax, do so now. Use the R40 form or amend your Self-Assessment tax return.
- Seek Professional Advice: If you believe you have valid reasons for missing the deadline, consult with a financial advisor who can assess your case and potentially guide you in submitting a late claim.
Living Overseas
If you are a UK taxpayer living abroad, you can still claim tax back on PPI payouts. The process is similar, but you may need to provide additional documentation to confirm your tax residency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
=> CAN I STILL CLAIM PPI IN 2025?
No, the final deadline to file a PPI complaint was in 2019. However, you can still claim tax refunds on statutory interest for payouts received before that deadline.
=> HOW DO I CLAIM TAX BACK ON PPI REFUNDS?
Gather your payout documents, fill out Form R40 or adjust your Self-Assessment tax return, submit it to HMRC, and await a response. It’s possible to get money back even if your payout was years ago.
=> DOES CLAIMING PPI AFFECT MY CREDIT RATING?
No, claiming PPI or a tax refund does not affect your credit rating. It is unrelated to your credit report or creditworthiness.
=> CAN I CLAIM TAX ON PPI PAID ON A PENSION OR CAR FINANCE?
Yes, PPI refunds can apply to pensions, car finance agreements, or other loans if you were mis-sold a PPI policy. Make sure to include statutory interest in your tax refund claim.
=> CAN I CLAIM PPI TAX REFUNDS IF I HAD PPI ON AN OVERDRAFT?
Yes, if you were mis-sold PPI on an overdraft and received compensation, you may be eligible to claim back the tax deducted from the statutory interest. Simply gather your documents and follow the steps to claim any overpaid tax from HMRC.
Conclusion
Claiming back tax on PPI payouts can be a straightforward process if you understand the rules and gather the necessary documentation. With the Personal Savings Allowance and varying tax bands, it’s worth checking whether you’re due a refund, especially if your income fluctuated in the year you received the payout.
For personalized advice, consult with a tax specialist or accountant who can guide you through the process and help maximize your claim. If you need further assistance, feel free to contact our experts at MH Services for a comprehensive review of your circumstances and potential refund.