Clarity on Pension Contributions when Completing Self Assessment

I'm at my annual confused stage when it comes to self assessment and pension contributions. Background: Higher rate tax payer, employed, employer has a standard workplace pension with no salary sacrafice. Like many, there are three sources of contributions to my pensions. Below are some annual numbers for illustrative purposes. A. Workplace 3% (employers contribution) £1,984.50 B. Workplace 5% (my contribution) £2,471.26 C. Regular contributions to private pension £28,010.00 When completing my self assessment, I'm looking to confirm what numbers need to be included in the below section as it makes my head spin every year.... Payments to registered pension schemes (Also known as PPR) where basic rate tax relief will be claimed by your pension provider (called Relief at source). Enter the payments and basic rate tax: Is the correct answer: #1. C * 1.25? e.g. £28,010.00 * 1.25 = £35,012.50 #2. C+B * 1.25? e.g. £30,481.26 * 1.25 = £38,101.57 #3. Something else

Hi Trencher Tree,

It is not clear,based on the information provided, if your employer deducts your pension contributions from your pay before it is taxed.

If that is the case, you will have already received the tax relief you are entitled to, and you won't have to make any entries in the 'Paying into registered pension schemes' section of the SA100.

If not, please follow the detailed guidance in the SA100 notes.

How to fill in your tax return (2022)

Thank you. 

Thanks. My workplace pension is relief at source. Option #2 seems to me to be the right answer but I'm not 100% sure.

Hi Trencher Tree,

Option #2 is correct.

Thank you. 

Thank you, most appreciated.

Hello, I made my contribution to SIPP £2,880 only this week, and the pension provider will only claim the 20% tax relief £720 in late Apr and post it to my account in May. In filing my self assessment tax return 2022-23, shall I put in£2,800 or 3,600?

Hi,

You claim the amount you put in plus the relief that the pension provider has claimed.

Thank you.

Dear HMRC, Thanks for the answer. Just to be sure, that means I put in 2,880 only for 2022-23 filing as the pension provider will claim only in late April (which is 2023-24 tax year)?

Dear HMRC, Can you please kindly confirm: that means I put in 2,880 only for 2022-23 filing as the pension provider will claim only in late April (which is 2023-24 tax year)?

Hi,
That is correct.
Thank you.

Dear HMRC, Thanks very much for the answers. As I will contribute in May/2023 again 2,880 for the tax year 23-24 (and the provider will calim in Jun/2023), does it mean my tax filing will be as folows? 2022-23: 2,880 2023-24: 2,880 (May/2023 contribution) + 720 (tax relief claimed by service provider in May/23 for 2022-23 contribution) + 720 (tax relief claimed by service provider in Jun/23 for 2023-24 contribution) = 4,320 So for tax year 2023-24, my contribution to pension including tax claim will be 4,320. Will that cause a violation of the HMRC saying the yearly contributionc cannot be over 3,600 if you've no employment income?

Hi Christ,
We can comfirm you are correct. 
Thank you. 

Hello HMRC, Thanks. Your answer "you're correct" means which one below? A, or B, or both? A. My calculation of per year declaration 2022-23 £2,800, 2023-24, £ 4,320 B. I'll have a violation of the HMRC contribution limit of 3,600 in tax year 2023-24?

Hi
If the contributions will take you over this contact the pension provider before making the payment.
Thankyou.

Hi Christ,

If the contribution would take you over you will need to discuss this with the pension provider before making the contribution.

Thank you.