paying back maternity pay, can you claim the tax back?

[sjj84]

My wife received enhanced maternity pay for some of the time she's been off, we're aware that she has to return to work for 13 weeks otherwise we have to pay it back. It's now becoming a possibility that she won't return and the amount owed is approx £4000, now obviously at the point of receiving the money she was taxed on it, is it possible to claim that tax back?

[sjj84]

I take it she'd have to contact hmrc to do that then. I'd forgotten about ni, doubt that can be claimed back, still, if the tax can then that's a start.