Self-assessment- waiting for tax refund

saltpot

Hi

not sure if this is the correct forum or not. I completed self assessment online on 7th April . I had made a loss- not profit at all. I understood the overpaid tax would be refunded. I rang on 24th April and was told the repayment would be requested via my local tax office. I was told the money would be repaid by the middle of May. I rang to chase this and was told there was a backlog- 4-6 weeks. I was told to chase it at the end of May. I have now been told that no one can tell me anymore infor when the money will be released as it is going through security checks.

I find it incredible that no one at HMRC can tell me anything more as how long this might take. There is no telephone number for this department. I asked what security checks entailed and no one could even tell me.
Anyone any idea?
Thanks

Madmel

Did you pay tax through PAYE during the tax year or did you send them money on account? Why do you think you have "overpaid"?

Whenever I have made overpayments due to working for 2 separate organisations, one of which is on a BR code, I file online then include my bank details on the page near the end where it calculates you have overpaid. I have always received the money within no more than 3 days, paid directly into my account.

fengirl_2

Security checks involve checking that the repayment is in fact due and that there is external evidence to show that you live at your address. Did you file electronically? If so, the refund should be very fast, but the manual system takes longer due to staff cutbacks. Most tax ffices have 8-10 weeks post on hand.
Someone should, however, be able to see on the computer system what the status of your refund is. Ring again and request this info.

soundslive

Saltpot, beware of anyone that says you will get your refund in 6, 8 10 weeks etc, for about the last 4 years i haave overpaid, i usually find out in about July that the IR owe me money, on each occasion i have nevwe seen it beofre christmas of the same year. Last years ammount that was owed to me (£65!!!) arrived approx 4 weeks ago, this was only after regularly phoning, eventualy speaking to someone who told me it had gone for security checks,this was approximatly December, however she was good (or stupid) enough to give me her number to call back in a few days.... needless to say by April she knew it was me calling before she even answered the phone!. My advice, see if you can speak to someone helpful, very few of them at HMRC, get their number, and basically make a pain of yourself, but don't rely onseeing that money for at least 6 months!!, best of luck

P.s if your tax office is the film unit in Tyne and Wear then i have very usefull number.....