Workaround for botched HMRC student loan repayment calculations
HMRC systems cannot differentiate between certain types of income which could lead to an overpayment of student loan deductions. What’s the solution?

If you make student loan repayments and you’re also within the self-assessment regime, you’ll be aware that any student loan repayments due on additional (typically non-PAYE) income are calculated and collected via your tax return. This would ordinarily be straightforward, but HMRC has confirmed that, despite student loan deductions not being due on benefits-in-kind, its systems are incorrectly including such income in the calculations. This means that affected individuals will end up paying higher student loan payments than is necessary. Therefore, if you’re in self-assessment and you have payrolled benefits in kind, such as a company car or private medical insurance, you will need to follow HMRC's guidance to ensure the student loans figure is calculated correctly. The current workaround is in place until shortcomings in HMRC systems can be addressed.
Related Topics
-
Key Data Tax
All you the info you need about taxes
-
New PAYE procedure being overlooked
If you pay foreign employees or those who work abroad, you might need to take steps immediately because of new tax rules. What’s the full story?
-
Is refusal to relocate misconduct?
The government has announced that 12,000 civil servant roles will be moved out of London and relocated to 13 towns and cities across the UK by 2030. In a workplace relocation scenario, what’s the legal position if an employee doesn’t wish to relocate?