Tax Rebate/Self Assessment 'Security Check'

ironman1

Hello, wondering if anyone can help.

Every year I fill out a SA on the HMRC website. Well this year I am due to receive a £1400 rebate.

However, I withdrew the refund to my bank account last Monday and after eight working days it still hasn't cleared. I called them Tuesday and they said it was going through a security check and would be in my bank after this has been completed.

Does anyone have any idea of what this involved and how long is usually takes? Was hoping for the money ASAP! Thanks

John_Pierpoint

I would be interested to know how much has been stolen from the rest of us by criminals faking a self assessment refund.
I am rather pleased to see that HMRC is making security checks.

ironman1

Faking one? I know you are probably not talking about me but I only ever put the correct details in and have done every year I've done it.

I got a few hundred more than usual this year but that is because I earned less, only working around three months self employed rather than the usual year (was on cards for nine months). And don't get excited, about one in ten apparently get checked and my one is spot on so a waste of time.

Anyway back to the question, anyone know how long this usually takes? Have been told they check the address, National Insurance details etc. My payment says 'PENDING' on the website

taxing

Hi

Don't take it personally...:)

These security checks are fairly commonplace now as, like everything, 'gangs of crooks' have found their way in to ripping off the taxman, too, by making false claims.

Unfortunately, these checks can add up to 4 weeks (sometimes more) onto getting the refund 'out' from HMRC.

A call to them every couple of weeks wouldn't go amiss and might help speed things along although I believe it is pretty much outside the control of the 'customer (sic) services person you will speak to.

Best of Luck.

Regards

ironman1

Thanks, trust me to be picked for a check! Is it a case of sending them receipts of travel and tools expenses etc?

Horace

They may just be checking you out by other means unless they have said that they are coming to carry out an inspection. I don't think you will need to provide receipts or anything unless they ask.

The HMRC take weeks to submit the rebate which is why I never actually withdraw money from my account until it is cleared. I know that they are doing lots of checks at the moment because some criminals have been sending emails to people seemingly from the HMRC so people click the links and give their details and end up being robbed. Can't blame the HMRC for being stringent in their checks.

ironman1

How long do these checks take on average? Really want to use a bit of the money to get some baby stuff for our 6 week old

brookhaven

ironman1 wrote: »

Hello, wondering if anyone can help.

Every year I fill out a SA on the HMRC website. Well this year I am due to receive a £1400 rebate.

However, I withdrew the refund to my bank account last Monday and after eight working days it still hasn't cleared. I called them Tuesday and they said it was going through a security check and would be in my bank after this has been completed.

Does anyone have any idea of what this involved and how long is usually takes? Was hoping for the money ASAP! Thanks

I find myself in a similar situation, so I was pleased to find your post. Do post again when the refund arrives!

brookhaven

OK, just to follow up, my tax refund has come through. It was initiated on the 18th June and it arrived today 6 July. I make that 14 working days.

Hope that helps.

MacMickster

HMRC security checks are not just on you. They also check in case staff are trying to generate refunds that are not due for friends, relatives etc. This is apparently why the staff are unable to tell you how long the checks will take, because they are not allowed to know what type of check is taking place.

gold_dollar_boy

similar story...

however, after reading all the comments, I am clearer as to why the delays take place but not any happier.

My combined S.A, PAYE and CIS returns, for a 3 year period, resulted in £23k+ being owed to me.

Was told in August 2012, this repayment is under security checks.

Same pa-larva as everybody else ensues. Dozens off calls, complaint letter, 3 emails over this 3 month period.

Problem I have isthat a Contractor I worked for and a PAYE I worked for, (same guy) that both overcharged me by over taxing at source, are no longer trading and knowing the bloke who owned them, will be impossible to track down to verify and cross check my returns, these make up a good £13k of the monies owed.

Any advice?