self assessment security checks

megane02

Does anyone know how long it takes the hmrc take to do security check??? I did my sa on 6th April but been at security dept for the last 5 weeks

chrismac1

Please see my other posts on this, on ways to put pressure on them to behave decently and not like some spivvy used car salesman.

50Twuncle

I hadn't realised that HMRC did any security checks on SA ?
I was registered two years ago and it only took HMRC about a fortnight to get it all sorted - it took them about two months to unregister me for SA when my circumstances changed.....

AndyJR81

Depends on the size of the refund. I think they used to say if its above £4000 it automatically gets forwarded for security checks. I had an awful time when a client of mine mistakenly paid a £80,000 tax bill twice due to a bank error, it took about 12 weeks to get a repayment!

I think officially they say it can take up to 6 weeks

chrismac1

This is how these calls go for me 90% of the time:

"Please tell me exactly what checks you are running, I might be able to help you with them."

HMRC: "We're releasing it for payment now."

In other words, we've been rumbled and the game is up with our dodgy slow pay tactics.

pchelpman

We have had several clients whose refunds have been removed from the automated repayment system for checking.

There seems to be no rhyme or reason why. No pattern. Some refunds are large, some small.

We found out that there is a random process going on here with one HMRC office (possibly in Bristol) doing all this manual checking.

Even HMRC front line staff don't know where it is.

All we know is that, once pulled from the system for manual checking, the self assessment account with HMRC states the money has been repaid even though it is not.

As Andy says this can take weeks but no more repayment supplement (interest) is added ot the refund in recompense.

Gas_Powered_Toothbrush

chrismac1 wrote: »

"Please tell me exactly what checks you are running, I might be able to help you with them."

"Hi, I'm an accountant, and as you'll be aware, we never commit fraud of any sort or seek to use knowledge of the system for our own advantage.

Now, if you'd be so kind as to divulge the methods you use for preventing fraud..."

chrismac1

Please don't be under the misapprehension that these checks are anything to do with fraud prevention. 90% of the time they are slow pay pure and simple.

chrismac1

Note also that no-one needs to take my word for the fact that the integrity of the UK tax staff - which say 20 years ago was very high - has fallen to a very low ebb.

Go to any site such as Accountingweb and you'll see numerous posts about the true nature of the beast. Also the Public Accounts Committee have at times been pretty scathing about it.

If you are generous it is down to incompetence and Jobsworthiness of the worst sort. I am generous enough to believe HMRC are competent enough to carry out checks and make payments in the same 4 day timeframe banks achieve. Hence I believe it to be cynical slow pay.

cat1122

Hi.. I phoned hmrc again yesterday must be my 4 th time since I did my sa online on April 6th & got the same old story been picked for security check give it 3 weeks..so I said I get told this every time I phone & so thay said not all security checks take the same time &if you not herd by 17 July get back in touch.. I also asked what checks are thay doing & thay said thay cannot say its upto security dept for that... Has this happened to any bid else??????

pchelpman

Read all the posts. Yes, this happens frequently.