How much should I expect?

[Drewster]

.... I also go via an umbrella company to reduce the hassle....

.....Even though you are paying your umbrella to get your payroll right, they rarely do. Register with Government Gateway ASAP to get your secure logon details and ALWAYS - and I mean ALWAYS do an end of year self assessment via the HMRC online service even if you feel you have no obligation to do so, and especially so if your umbrella tells you not to. HMRC have no issue with you doing so and it is simple and painless. I have been doing this since 2005 as I had the distinct feeling I was being overtaxed by Parasol. My formula above proved me right and I was able to reclaim £2400 in overpaid tax that year. I have done this every end of year since and I reclaim on average around £2500 per year, it takes about 4 weeks for the money to be paid, and it goes straight into your nominated bank account.

If you do reclaim any overpaid tax (and chances are that you will) you may get a letter from HMRC saying that you do not need to submit a self assessment for the following year. Ignore this notice and do it anyway.

Am I alone in finding this advice strange....... Use an Umbrella because they are less hassle..... but spend a fair bit of hassle every year because the (chosen) Umbrella "gets it wrong".......

Why (Oh why oh why) would you consciously pay (anyone) to knowingly get it wrong and then (at your cost) spend time/effort to sort it out......

I would certainly agree that "you" should keep an eye on whats going on and (do your best to) understand pros/cons etc (rather than blindly trusting "anyone") but to knowingly PAY for someone to get it wrong!!!
ARGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!! Words fail me!!!