Reclaim
Check your council tax band
Some homes are in the wrong band. If yours is too high, you could get it lowered and get money back, often from when you moved in.
Reclaim.
Get back what you are owed.
Free ways to claim money back yourself. No company, no fee, no catch.
Reclaim
Claim tax relief on work uniform
If you wash, repair or replace a uniform or protective clothing for work, you may be able to claim tax relief, and backdate it.
Reclaim
Marriage Allowance
If you are married or in a civil partnership and one of you earns less than the Personal Allowance, you can transfer £1,260 of it to your partner. That can cut their tax by up to £252 a year.
Reclaim
Flight delay compensation
If your flight was delayed by three hours or more, or cancelled at short notice, you may be owed £220 to £520 per person, depending on the flight distance.
Check your council tax band
Some homes are in the wrong band. If yours is too high, you could get it lowered and get money back, often from when you moved in.
- Find your band and your neighbours' bands on the gov.uk council tax band checker.
- If similar homes nearby are in a lower band, ask the Valuation Office Agency (or the Scottish Assessors) to review your band.
- It is free to do yourself. You do not need to pay a company.
Be careful: a review can also put your band up, not just down.
Claim tax relief on work uniform
If you wash, repair or replace a uniform or protective clothing for work, you may be able to claim tax relief, and backdate it.
- Check you qualify on gov.uk. Many jobs have a set flat rate amount.
- Claim online with HMRC. You can usually backdate claims for up to four tax years.
- It is free to claim yourself.
Marriage Allowance
If you are married or in a civil partnership and one of you earns less than the Personal Allowance, you can transfer £1,260 of it to your partner. That can cut their tax by up to £252 a year.
- Check you qualify. The higher earner must be a basic rate taxpayer.
- Apply online with HMRC. It is free.
- You can backdate your claim for up to four tax years.
Flight delay compensation
If your flight was delayed by three hours or more, or cancelled at short notice, you may be owed £220 to £520 per person, depending on the flight distance.
- Check the flight left from the UK, or landed in the UK on a UK or EU airline.
- The delay must not be caused by things outside the airline's control, such as bad weather.
- Claim direct with the airline for free. You can usually claim for flights up to six years ago (five in Scotland).
How to complain and win
Complain to the company
Put it in writing. Say what went wrong, what you want them to do and by when.
Keep a record
Save emails, letters, receipts and notes of calls, with dates.
Wait for a final response
Most firms have eight weeks to reply. Financial firms must send a final response letter.
Go to the ombudsman
If you are not happy, take it to the right free ombudsman, such as the Financial Ombudsman Service or Energy Ombudsman.
Common questions
Should I pay a company to reclaim for me?
You rarely need to. Most of these claims are free and simple to do yourself, and you keep all the money.
How far back can I claim tax relief?
For most tax reliefs, including uniform relief and Marriage Allowance, you can backdate claims for up to four tax years.
Is this advice?
No. This page is general information. Check the official links for the full rules before you claim.