If your pension contributions have been deducted from net pay (after tax has been deducted) and you’re a higher rate taxpayer (eg paying 40% tax), you can claim your tax back in two ways:

• Self-Assessment tax return
• call or write to HM Revenue & Customs if you don’t fill in a tax return.

If you’re an additional rate taxpayer (ie you earn over £125,140 per year and pay 45% tax on this portion), you can only claim your 25% extra via a Self-Assessment tax return.

If you pay pension contributions via the net pay arrangement (before tax has been taken), you’ll receive your full 40%/45% straight away without having to do anything.

If you have any queries on how to claim higher rate tax relief see www.gov.uk/tax-on-your-private-pension/pension-tax-relief