Last updated: 14 October 2026
How do you get student loan records corrected?
Contact the Student Loans Company (SLC) first, as it holds the loan account. If repayments were taken through payroll or Self Assessment, HMRC passes the figures to SLC after the end of each tax year, so mistakes often come from the wrong plan type, a missing SL1 or SL2 notice, or a Self Assessment return that included the loan in error. Check your online repayment account, collect your P60s and payslips, and ask SLC to reconcile the account.
2026/27 repayment thresholds
| Plan | Annual threshold | Rate above threshold |
| Plan 1 | £26,900 | 9% |
| Plan 2 | £29,385 | 9% |
| Plan 4 (Scotland) | £33,795 | 9% |
| Plan 5 | £25,000 | 9% |
| Postgraduate Loan | £21,000 | 6% |
Common errors
- Wrong plan type: for example, Plan 1 deductions instead of Plan 2, giving repayments at the wrong threshold
- Deductions after the loan is repaid: SLC should stop deductions; if not, ask for a refund
- Missing repayments: payroll deductions not credited to your account
- Double deductions: through payroll and through Self Assessment for the same income
- Deductions below the threshold: if your annual income was under the threshold, you can claim a refund
Steps to fix it
- Sign in to your student loan repayment account and check the balance and repayments
2. Compare the repayments with the student loan figure on your P60 or final payslip
3. Contact SLC by phone or online with your evidence
4. If the plan type is wrong, SLC tells HMRC, which sends a new notice to your employer
5. If the error is on your tax return, amend the return within 12 months of 31 January after the tax year
Example
Joe has a Plan 2 loan but his employer has been deducting at Plan 1 rates since April 2026. On a salary of £32,000, Plan 1 deductions are 9% of £5,100, or £459 a year, while Plan 2 deductions are 9% of £2,615, or £235. He contacts SLC, which confirms the plan type. HMRC sends his employer a corrected notice, and SLC refunds the overpayment once the tax year is reconciled.
Self Assessment
If you file a return, the student loan box must be completed if you’ve received a notice, even if your employer already deducts. HMRC then credits what was taken through payroll. If you don’t have a loan, make sure the box is blank.
Refunds
SLC can refund repayments made in a tax year where your income was below the threshold, and overpayments after the balance reaches zero. Refunds can take several weeks.
Keep your records
Keep every P60, final payslip, P45 and SLC statement until the loan is repaid or written off. Records from years ago are often needed to show what was deducted. If you have worked abroad, tell SLC, as overseas earnings are repaid directly rather than through HMRC, and missing information can lead to penalty interest being added.
Frequently asked questions
Who do I contact, HMRC or SLC?
SLC first, as it holds the account.
My balance went up despite repayments?
Interest may be higher than repayments.
Can I backdate a refund?
Yes, for earlier years where you overpaid.
Does a student loan affect my credit score?
No, it isn’t shown on credit files.
Related: student loan deductions in your tax return, the student loan balancing payment error and checking your tax code.
Talk to Accotax
Want this handled for you? Our team at Accotax can help with student loan and tax return help. See our small business accountants service, or contact us for a free, no-obligation quote.
This page is general guidance based on HMRC rules for the 2026/27 tax year, checked against gov.uk on 14 October 2026. It is not personal advice, so speak to an accountant about your own situation.
