Omar Erika, a Nigerian woman who relocated from the United Kingdom in 2024, has shared her joy after discovering a tax refund of £1,599.08 (approximately N2.9 million) that had been waiting unclaimed in her HMRC account for over a year. The refund, dated June 8, 2025, was only noticed when she logged into her account on July 9, 2026, to check an unrelated matter.
Discovery of the Unclaimed Refund
Erika posted a screenshot of her HMRC account on Facebook, showing the pending refund notification. She expressed surprise that the money had been sitting unread for more than a year. HMRC, the UK government agency responsible for tax collection and refunds, issues refunds when taxpayers overpay their income tax. Taxpayers must claim the refund through their online account.
Comparison Between UK and Nigerian Systems
In her post, Erika praised the reliability of British government systems while drawing a humorous contrast with Nigeria. She joked that in Nigeria, someone might have already claimed to be her next of kin to collect the refund. She wrote: "People of God… I logged into my HMRC account today because I needed to check something. Mind you, I left the UK in 2024. As I was looking through my messages, I found one that had been sitting there since June 8, 2025, saying I had overpaid my tax and HMRC owed me £1599.08. Y'all… I've just claimed my refund ONE YEAR LATER! I can't lie, one thing I really admire about the UK is how their systems work. Imagine finding money that had been waiting for you for over a year. If this had happened in Nigeria… I don't know o. Some people would have already claimed to be my next of kin. Anyway, if you've ever worked in the UK, go and check your HMRC account. You might have money waiting for you too!"
Public Reactions
The post sparked mixed reactions from her followers. Many shared similar experiences. Anita Oyeogbe commented: "So true, checked mine 2 weeks ago and found a £605 tax refund, I was overtaxed as a student." Promise Mathias said: "This is a system founded in integrity, Nigeria can't relate but shaa gimme me small pounds make I use see front." Blessing Mary Ocheido noted: "I have never checked mine and don't even know how it works. I have worked for the same organisation since I came (haven't switched jobs) and don't do overtime or additional work so I don't even think I will see any refund."
Broader Context of UK Tax Refunds
According to HMRC, tax refunds are common for workers who have overpaid due to emergency tax codes, changes in employment, or other adjustments. The refund amount depends on individual circumstances. In related news, a UK-based Nigerian doctor recently shared her salary after tax deductions, and another lady who earned N174.1 million disclosed how much tax she paid. These stories highlight the importance of checking tax accounts regularly, even after leaving the UK.
Advice for Former UK Workers
Erika's experience serves as a reminder for anyone who has worked in the UK to check their HMRC account for unclaimed refunds. The process is straightforward: log into the HMRC online account, review messages, and follow instructions to claim any due refund. Many former workers may have money waiting without realizing it.
