How to choose a tax rebate company

Fees, what to check at Companies House, and the red flags that mean walk away.

5min read. Reviewed by the Taxpro tax team.

On this page

In short

  • Check the fee, the minimum fee and whether VAT is added.
  • Check Companies House and the reviews, not the adverts.
  • Walk away from anyone who asks for money upfront, promises a figure before seeing your record or wants your Gateway password.
  • You can always claim yourself for free. A company should earn its fee by doing it properly and quickly.

Fees: what to compare

Most firms charge a percentage of the refund. Compare the percentage, whether VAT is on top, the minimum fee and what happens if the refund is smaller than the minimum. Ours: 37.5% plus VAT, minimum £45 plus VAT, never more than the refund. Fees has three worked examples.

Five things to check

  1. Companies House: a real registered company with named directors and filed accounts.
  2. Trustpilot: read the recent one-star reviews as well as the score.
  3. HMRC agent status: the company should file as your agent, not log in as you.
  4. A UK phone number that someone answers.
  5. A clear complaints process.

Red flags

  • Any payment before the refund arrives.
  • A refund figure quoted before anyone has seen your HMRC record.
  • Asking for your Government Gateway password.
  • Any promise of a certain outcome before your record has been seen.
  • A deed of assignment that sends future refunds to the company. These were banned for new claims in 2023, so nobody should ask.

Worked example

Two firms quote 30% and 37.5% on a £700 refund. Firm A adds a £100 minimum, a £30 admin fee and charges VAT on all of it; firm B has no extras. A: £700 minus (£210 plus £30) times 1.2 equals £412. B: £700 minus £262.50 times 1.2 equals £385. Small gap, so the decision should rest on the checks above.

Questions

Can I switch company mid-claim?

Yes, but tell the first one in writing and check their terms for a cancellation charge.

Is Taxpro regulated?

No single body regulates tax rebate agents. We are registered with HMRC as an agent (agent reference CARN 005 1906), supervised by HMRC for anti-money laundering (XAML00000208483) and registered with the ICO (ZB697382). Tax Pro Group Ltd, company number 15046741.

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This guide is general information, not advice about your circumstances. Figures use HMRC rates for the 2026 to 2027 tax year. We are a paid tax agent and not HMRC.

Related guides

Am I owed a tax rebate? The PAYE guideThe five reasons most employed people overpay, and how to tell if one applies to you.
Work mileage tax rebateWhich journeys count, the 55p, 45p and 25p rates, and what your employer paying changes.
Tax refund scams: spot a fakeHMRC never texts a refund link. The signs, the real process, and what to do if you clicked.

Read enough? Check what you're owed.

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We are a paid tax agent acting on your behalf. We are not HMRC.

Claims are submitted to HMRC under Self Assessment. You can claim directly from HMRC for free at gov.uk.

Tax Pro Group Limited is registered in England and Wales, company number 15046741. Registered office: Ground Floor, 3 Mary Ann Street, Birmingham B3 1BG. VAT number GB450637596. Registered with the Information Commissioner's Office, registration number ZB697382. Registered with HMRC for anti-money laundering supervision, registration number XAML00000208483. HMRC agent reference CARN 005 1906. We are not authorised or regulated by the FCA; we do not provide financial advice.

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