With snow affecting both the UK and US more people are leaving the country for the winter, moving to warmer climates such as Australia and Spain.

This week we are going to answer some common questions on claiming a tax refund when leaving the UK. If you have any additional questions, be sure to ask them in the comments below.

1.   Can I claim a tax refund when leaving the UK?
Everyone that works in the UK is given a tax free allowance which is allocated throughout the year in your pay. If you leave the country part way through the tax year you will not get your full allowance and as a result you will be able to claim a tax rebate.

2. Will I be able to claim all the tax that I have paid back?
This will depend on how much you have earned in the tax year. If you have earned below the tax free allowance then you will be able to claim all the tax back. If you have earned over you can use our tax rebate calculator to check to see what proportion you can claim back.

3. How do I claim my tax refund?
You need to firstly inform the Inland Revenue that you are leaving the country, you can do this by completing a P85 form. You will also need to complete a P86 if you have not already done so. Once complete, send your P60 and P45 to your local tax office together with a cover letter, letting them know about your situation.

4. How long does the tax refund take to process?
It depends on how busy your speific tax office is, usually though, refunds usually take between 30-45 days. To speed up the process make sure that you include all relevant information as well as making a copy of all records you send.

5. How many years can I claim a refund for?
You can currently claim as far back as 6 years. So if you worked in the UK anytime in the last 6 years, make sure that you do not let your entitlement slip away.

Disclaimer: The above information can not be taken as advice and is for illustration purposes only. Please call Tax Fix before making any claims or confirmation. Tax Fix can not accept any liability for action taken and any losses incurred.