P85 Form Explained: Claim Tax Back on Leaving the UK

Quick answer: The P85 form tells HMRC you're leaving the UK and lets you claim back overpaid PAYE tax. Use it if you don't file Self Assessment. Claim online after you leave, or print and post it if you haven't left yet. HMRC sets no fixed processing time; track your claim with the reference number you're given.

Key Takeaways

• What it's for: The P85 form notifies HMRC you're leaving the UK and claims back tax from UK employment.
• Who needs it: Anyone who's lived and worked in the UK, is leaving (possibly for good), or working abroad full-time for a full tax year, and doesn't file Self Assessment.
• How to claim: Online (post-departure only) or by post using the on-screen HMRC form.
• No downloadable blank PDF: According to LITRG, you can no longer download a blank P85 to fill in by hand; you complete it on-screen at GOV.UK, then print.
• Processing time: Not fixed. Use HMRC's "check when you can expect a reply" tool to track it.
• Payment: HMRC pays by cheque (payable order) only -not bank transfer- so keep your UK bank account open.

If you've ever tried to untangle your tax position after accepting a job abroad, you'll know the P85 form comes up fast. It's one of those HMRC forms that sounds more complicated than it is; but get a detail wrong, and your refund can sit in limbo for months. Here's what it actually does, who needs it, and how to get it right the first time.

What is a P85 form for?

The P85 form, officially "Leaving the UK: getting your tax right", does two things.

-It tells HMRC you've left, or are about to leave, and

-Lets you claim back tax you overpaid through PAYE during your UK employment.

According to GOV.UK (updated 23 August 2024), you can claim if you:

• lived and worked in the UK
• left the UK and may not be coming back
• work abroad full time for at least one full tax year

You don't need to fill in a P85 form if you're sending a Self Assessment tax return for the year you leave, you'd handle this through the residence pages of your return instead. Why the refund in the first place? Your Personal Allowance (£12,570 for 2026/27) gets spread evenly across the tax year through PAYE.

Leave the UK part-way through, and you've likely only used part of that allowance, meaning HMRC owes you the difference.

How do I claim my tax back when leaving the UK?

Before you start, get your paperwork together:

• Your most recent UK address and National Insurance number
• Your overseas contact address and departure date
• Parts 2 and 3 of your P45 (if you have one)
• Details of any UK home, UK salary, or planned UK visits over the next three years

If you don't have a P45, say, you're retired or a Crown servant working abroad-explain why instead of including it.

Where to send P85 form HMRC post?

Send your printed form and P45 parts to:

Pay As You Earn, HM Revenue and Customs, BX9 1AS

Once HMRC processes a repayment, it's paid by cheque (a "payable order") to your address or a nominee's, for deposit into a UK bank account. HMRC won't cover currency conversion or transfer fees, so keep that UK account open until your cheque lands.

Can I complete the P85 form online?

Yes, but only once you've already left the UK.

If you're still in the country, you'll need to use the print-and-post route instead, completing the form on-screen before printing it.

One important note: you can no longer download a blank P85 form as a PDF from GOV.UK to fill in by hand. Older versions (including 2018-style P85 form PDFs) floating around online may be outdated; always use the current version generated through GOV.UK's own service.

How long does P85 take to process?

Here's the honest answer: HMRC doesn't publish a fixed turnaround time for P85 claims. Processing depends on their current workload.

Your best bet is HMRC's "check when you can expect a reply" tool, which is updated weekly, plus your online reference number if you claimed that way. Remember that postal claims, and cheques sent by international post, add extra time on top.

TL;DR about P85 Form

• What it does: The P85 form tells HMRC you're leaving the UK and lets you claim back any overpaid PAYE tax.
• Cost: It's free to submit directly to HMRC, so you never need to pay a third party just to file it.
• How to claim:
  • Already left the UK? Claim online.
  • Haven't left yet? Print the form and post it to HMRC.
• Processing time: HMRC doesn't publish an official timeframe, so track your claim using your reference number.
• Your refund: Keep your UK bank account open so your refund cheque can be paid in without a hitch.

Sorted your P85? Here's how Debitam can help

Not sure whether you need a P85 form or a full Self Assessment return? Get it wrong, and you could delay your refund by months or miss other UK tax obligations entirely.

As an online tax return service, Debitam's tax specialists can help you work out which route applies to your situation, and support you through submitting your claim correctly the first time. Don't leave money or compliance to chance.

We help over 26,000 business owners, self-employed professionals, and contractors across the UK, and we've been rated 4.9 on Trustpilot for 8 years in a row, outperforming other online accountants across +6,200 reviews

Get in touch with Debitam today

FAQs about P85 Form

How to get a P85 form?

You get the current P85 form through GOV.UK's official guidance page, where you'll either claim online (if you've left the UK) or complete the form on-screen before printing it for postal submission.

Where can I get a P85 form?

GOV.UK is the only reliable source. There's no official blank PDF to download, older versions found elsewhere may be out of date.

Where to send P85 form HMRC?

Post your completed form and P45 to: Pay As You Earn, HM Revenue and Customs, BX9 1AS.

How to fill in P85 form online?

Sign in with your Government Gateway details if you've already left the UK, or complete the form on-screen if you're claiming by post. A few tips to keep things smooth:

• Gather your documents first. Have your P45 (or your last payslip if you don't have one), National Insurance number, and departure date to hand before you start.
• Don't expect to save your progress. The on-screen form can't be saved, so finish it in one sitting.
• Double-check your details. A wrong date or National Insurance number can slow down your claim.
• Keep your reference number. If you claim online, you'll need it to track your claim later.
• Print a copy before posting. If you're claiming by post, keep a copy for your records.

P85 form: how long does it take?

There's no fixed timeframe. Use HMRC's "check when you can expect a reply" tool and track online claims with your reference number.