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  • Clarification on Eligibility for Higher-Rate Tax Relief on Pension Contributions

    Hello HMRC Community, I hope someone can help me clarify my eligibility for higher-rate tax relief on pension contributions. Background: Last year, I received a bonus from my employer. I requested that this bonus be transferred directly into my pension fund. However, my employer processed the bonus as taxable income, deducting both income tax and National Insurance (NI) contributions before transferring the remaining amount into my pension. I am a higher-rate taxpayer, and I understand that additional tax relief beyond the basic rate (20%) might be available for contributions made to my pension. I want to ensure I claim the correct amount of tax relief and understand whether I am eligible in this specific situation. Questions: Am I eligible to claim higher-rate tax relief on the gross amount of the contribution (i.e., the amount was wired directly to the RAS plus basic-rate relief added by the provider)? Can I claim this relief via self-assessment for the last tax year? If so, what specific information do I need to include in my return? I want to ensure that I maximize the tax efficiency of my pension contributions while staying compliant with HMRC rules. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and assistance!