A partner of the Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA) membership scheme has helped its members claim back almost £15,000 in overpaid tax in the last five years.

A benefit of using PDA Plus, part of the PDA’s membership package, gives members access to special offers and support.

The Tax Refund Company has partnered with PDA Plus and has helped secure members tax refunds after checking the accuracy of the tax codes that HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) had used for their income.

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The PDA reports that since July 2023, 74% of its members who “completed their employment tax review” were able to get money back from HMRC after using wrong tax codes.

“The average amount works out at £226.54 each, although some members have received over £700 back,” the PDA says.

It added that this service checks tax codes in the current year and past four years, as taxpayers “are allowed up to 4 years to claim back any extra tax paid in error”.

“Straightforward” and “highly recommend”

One PDA member sought help from the Tax Refund Company as “the review was free” and going through the PDA helped them believe the service was “legitimate”.

“It was quite straightforward to complete the application, and I was kept well-informed on how my application was progressing. 

“The Tax Refund Company even went back to HMRC after my initial tax refund to challenge the amount as they believed I was owed more, which turned out to be correct!” they said.

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The PDA member now pays less in tax every month after the service helped her to get on the right tax code, and they “highly recommend the Tax Refund Company to other PDA members”.

“I was very satisfied with the overall service and I certainly received a larger refund than I expected.”

PDA Plus also offers extra benefits for its 38,000 members through discounts, special offers and access to services, such as on meals out, grocery shops, income protection cover or car insurance renewal to help pharmacists in their day-today life.

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Earlier this month, the PDA took the next step in securing union recognition at Superdrug after the multiple agreed for senior pharmacy managers (SPMs) to “belong” in its proposed bargaining unit, despite previous reservations it had.

And 96% of Boots Pharmacists’ Association (BPA) members who voted in the ballot are in favour of a merger with the PDA, with the results lodged with the trade union regulator so a transfer can happen on January 1, 2025.