Can You Get a Workers’ Comp Audit Refund? How Return Premium Works
5 min read · Updated June 20, 2026
Everyone braces for a workers’ comp audit bill. Far fewer realize the audit can go the other way and owe you money. It’s called a return premium, and contractors leave it on the table all the time. Here’s how to get it.
Why a refund happens
Your premium was based on estimated payroll. If your actual payroll came in lower — or the original estimate was simply too high — the audit trues it down and you’re owed the difference as a refund or credit. How the audit reconciles estimate vs. actual →
The overcharges that turn into refunds
Even when payroll is on target, you can be owed money if the audit overcharged you. The usual culprits:
- Overtime excess not excluded (the extra half of time-and-a-half).
- Owner/officer payroll not capped.
- Work placed in too high a class.
- A sub charged to you who actually had coverage you can now document.
How to claim it
Don’t assume the carrier finds every error in your favor. Request the audit worksheet, check the four items above, and if something’s wrong, dispute it in writing before your deadline. How to read the worksheet → The free audit dispute letter generator builds the request for you.
Even past years
If you discover an overcharge on a prior audit, that period can often still be revisited in your favor — the lookback works both directions. How far back audits go →
General information for contractors, not legal advice. Refund eligibility and deadlines vary by state and carrier — confirm yours.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a refund from a workers’ comp audit?
Yes. If your actual payroll was lower than estimated, or you were overcharged on classification, owner pay, or overtime, the audit can produce a return premium — a refund or credit.
Why would I get money back after an audit?
Common reasons: payroll came in under the estimate, overtime excess wasn’t excluded, owner payroll wasn’t capped, or work was placed in too high a class.
How do I claim a workers’ comp overcharge?
Request the audit worksheet, identify the error, and dispute it in writing before your deadline. Even a prior period can often still be corrected.
See your own exposure — free
Two free tools, no signup: estimate your audit surprise, and check whether your subs’ COIs actually protect you.
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