Earn over £50,270 and pay into a pension?
You could be owed pension tax relief — and many higher-rate taxpayers never claim what they're entitled to.
Potly estimates what you could be due and prepares your claim pack within 24 hours.
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£1.4bn
Estimated in unclaimed pension tax relief
807k
Higher-rate taxpayers may be entitled
£1,756
Average relief unclaimed
Why pension tax relief matters
Pension tax relief is one of the most valuable benefits in the UK tax system — yet billions go unclaimed every year. Under Relief at Source, basic-rate (20%) relief is added to your pension automatically. Higher-rate (40%) and additional-rate (45%) taxpayers are owed more — but HMRC won't send it unless you ask.
With tax thresholds frozen until April 2031, more people are pulled into higher bands every year. Many never realise they're owed a penny.
How it works
Built for taxpayers
Most pension tax relief calculators use simplified estimates. Potly was designed by qualified specialists to give you a more accurate picture of the additional relief you may be able to claim from HMRC.
Our calculator considers:
Higher-rate and additional-rate tax relief
Carry forward of unused pension allowance
Annual allowance tapering
Personal pensions, SIPPs, and qualifying workplace pensions
Scottish and UK tax bands
Multiple tax years in one estimate
Simple, fixed pricing.
Fixed fee. No commission. No percentage of your refund.
Basic
HMRC-ready claim letter- Pension Tax Relief & Allowance Report
- Self Assessment instructions (if you're registered for SA)
- Evidence checklist with step-by-step postal submission instructions
- Delivered within 24 hours
- Customer support for questions about your pack
4–5 tax years
- HMRC-ready claim letter
- Pension Tax Relief & Allowance Report
- Self Assessment instructions (if you're registered for SA)
- Evidence checklist with step-by-step postal submission instructions
- Delivered within 24 hours
- Customer support for questions about your pack
MOST CLAIMED
- HMRC-ready claim letter
- Pension Tax Relief & Allowance Report
- Self Assessment instructions (if you're registered for SA)
- Evidence checklist with step-by-step postal submission instructions
- Delivered within 24 hours
- Customer support for questions about your pack
Questions we get a lot
Still unsure if you're eligible? Use the free calculator to check.
What is pension tax relief?
Pension tax relief is money the government adds to your pension based on the income tax you've paid. Basic-rate (20%) relief is usually added to your pension automatically. Higher-rate (40%) and additional-rate (45%) taxpayers can claim extra relief — but it isn't always added automatically.
What's the difference between Relief at Source, Net Pay, and Salary Sacrifice?
These are three different ways pension contributions are taxed:
- Relief at Source — you pay into your pension after tax. The provider claims 20% basic-rate relief from HMRC and adds it to your pot. Higher and additional-rate taxpayers can claim the extra relief from HMRC. This is what Potly helps with.
- Net Pay — your contribution comes out of your salary before tax,so you receive relief at your full rate automatically through payroll.
- Salary Sacrifice — you take a lower salary and your employer pays the difference into your pension. Tax and National Insurance are reduced automatically — no further claim needed.
Our calculator confirms which scheme applies to yourpension.
How do I know if I'm eligible to claim?
You're likely eligible if you pay income tax above the basic rate and your pension is set up under Relief at Source. Most personal pensions and SIPPs use Relief at Source — and some workplace pensions do too. Our free calculator confirms eligibility before you pay anything.
What tax years can I claim for?
You can claim for the current tax year and the four previous tax years — five in total. After that, the oldest year drops out of scope each April. According to HMRC guidance, claims must be made within four years from the end of the tax year you're claiming for.
Does this work differently in Scotland?
Yes. Scotland sets its own income tax bands and rates. Scottish intermediate, higher, advanced, and top-rate taxpayers can all claim extra relief through HMRC. Our calculator applies the correct Scottish rates and your claim pack is tailored accordingly.
What if I'm registered for Self Assessment?
If you complete a Self Assessment tax return, HMRC's guidance is to claim pension tax relief through that return rather than by post. Your claim pack includes step-by-step Self Assessment instructions showing which boxes to complete and what figures to enter.
Can Potly guarantee I'll receive a refund?
No — and we wouldn't trust any service that does. HMRC makes the final decision based on their own checks. What we guarantee is a professionally prepared claim pack with everything HMRC needs to process your claim. If we can't prepare your pack, you receive a full refund.
What happens to my personal data?
We only collect what's needed to prepare your claim pack. Payments are handled by Stripe — we never see your card details. Data is stored securely with restricted access and isn't sold or shared. Full details are in our Privacy Policy.
How long does HMRC take to process my claim?
Response times depend on the route. For Self Assessmentclaims, refunds are typically processed within a few weeks of submitting yourreturn. For postal claims, HMRC currently takes around 8-12 weeks, though itcan be longer during busy periods. HMRC may also pay your relief by adjustingyour future tax code rather than as a direct refund.
We stand behind every claim we prepare
Our money-back guarantee gives you confidence before you pay— and reassurance once your claim pack is on its way to HMRC.
Our commitment to you
Our qualified team prepares your claim pack based on the information you provide and the relevant HMRC rules for pension tax relief claims.
When the guarantee applies
If HMRC rejects your claim due to ineligibility and you provided us with accurate information and documents, we’ll refund your fee in full.
Why guarantees matter
We believe users should feel confident before paying for a claim pack. Pension tax relief claims can be complex, so our guarantee is designed to give you reassurance before your claim is prepared and submitted to HMRC.
Check what you’re owed
You could be leaving money on the table. Use our free calculator to find out.
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