Income Tax refund

Lytham41

Good morning, 
I wonder if anyone else is having significant delays in getting refund for overpaid tax from previous employment. I provided a 'unsolicited claim' through my accountant early May 22, and was advised it would be 10 weeks for refund. I have this morning been told it will be a further 10 weeks , due to staff shortages at HMRC leading to delays on completing security checks , etc . It is not an insignificant sum of money, which would help in this current cost of living crisis. Also advised that no interest on the sum applies, but would be different if I owed them money, in both time to pay and interest owed on any late payment

Dazed_and_C0nfused

I think you've misunderstood a few things.

HMRC usually only pay interest after 31 January after the end of the relevant tax year.

But they also only charge interest from the same date.

So no inequity there.

An "unsolicited claim" appears to be a phrase you or your accountant have invented.

How was this claim actually made, letter to HMRC, R40 form, Self Assessment tax return?

If it was made via a Self Assessment return why did you opt for this?  Or did you meet one of the criteria which means a Self Assessment return is required?

Lytham41

I changed jobs and became self employed. My accountant sent the claim for overpaid tax from my previous employment ( unsolicited is his phrase) beginning of May.

Dazed_and_C0nfused

Lytham41 said:

I changed jobs and became self employed. My accountant sent the claim for overpaid tax from my previous employment ( unsolicited is his phrase) beginning of May.

You cannot claim a refund in such a specific way once the tax year has ended.

A Self Assessment return needs to be completed (which may in reality be what has happened) and any refund due (or tax payable) is based on your total taxable income for the year from all sources, not just a specific job.

Have you checked your Personal Tax Account to see if it shows receipt of a return?

Is there a y reason why you haven't registered as self employed with HMRC?  This would result in a return (or notice to file a return) being issued and avoid an unsolicited return.

Unsolicited returns are likely to receive more attention from HMRC (and therefore delay) and be subject to additional checks compared to returns HMRC are expecting to be filed.

https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/self-assessment-manual/sam113011