How long for form P50 to process?

bobbyf

Hi, I submitted the P50, together with the relevant parts of my P45, to HMRC two weeks ago.

I left employment in August 2015, won't be returning to work or benefits this tax year, and so want to claim back the tax I paid from April to August of the current tax year.

I just wondered if anyone had an idea how long I could expect to wait for a response or the money? I asked them to pay it directly into my bank account and gave them all details (payroll number, NI number etc, P45 etc). It's been two weeks so far and I'm wondering when I need to start chasing it up.

Thanks

dori2o

bobbyf wrote: »

Hi, I submitted the P50, together with the relevant parts of my P45, to HMRC two weeks ago.

I left employment in August 2015, won't be returning to work or benefits this tax year, and so want to claim back the tax I paid from April to August of the current tax year.

I just wondered if anyone had an idea how long I could expect to wait for a response or the money? I asked them to pay it directly into my bank account and gave them all details (payroll number, NI number etc, P45 etc). It's been two weeks so far and I'm wondering when I need to start chasing it up.

Thanks

When did you get your last salary payment?

The date you submit the P50 must be no less than 35 days after the last payment you received otherwise they will not process it.

It is not the leaving date that matters, it is the last payment date which could be anything upto a month/6 weeks after you have actually left the employment.

If you have submitted the form correctly then it can currently take anything upto 5 weeks to process given how much post is on hand.

However, a new process is in place at HMRC where all post is now scanned within 48 hours of it being received. This means that if you were to call progress chasing the repayment claim the advisor you speak to should be able to see a scanned copy of the claim form/P45 and process your repayment claim whilst you are on the phone.

Call HMRC and take the issue from there.

bobbyf

Thanks very much for your reply - v helpful. My last pay date was 40 days before I submitted the form so it should be okay. Thanks for the tip regarding phoning them - I'll give it a go.

t0rt0ise

When you phone you'll hear a message saying that if you have written not to call! Of course you can ignore it. If you do call, try phoning at 8 in the morning otherwise it will take at least 45 minutes to get through.

bobbyf

I did try calling HMRC today. Incredibly (by phoning the 'international' number) I got through straight away!

But the man told me my P50 hadn't been processed yet and that I shd call back if I hadn't heard from them by 9th November, i.e. 3 weeks from today, about 5 or 6 weeks from originally sending it in.

Ah well, I guess I just have to wait it out.

bobbyf

For anyone in a similar boat. I phoned HMRC again yesterday, even though it is not yet 9th Nov. This time I spoke to a slightly friendlier operator who was willing to check whether my claim looked straight forward enough for her to process on the phone. She decided it was and the claim has now been processed. Hurrah! It will still take 10 days to reach my account, she said, but least I know now the money is on its way.

So for anyone really desperate for quick processing, it's worth a polite phone call asking if it can be done any quicker.

Also, on both occasions I have used the phone number listed as being for international callers. Straight through to an operator each time, no holding at all :-).