Self Assessment Refunds Taking Forever....! Why?!

IAMIAM

You can expect a reply by
16 September 2025

This date is an estimate and may change.

More information

HMRC has security measures in place to protect customers which may cause a delay.

We may need a further 12 weeks after 16 September 2025 to issue your repayment.

We are currently processing claims received on 12 May 2025.

If you’ve finished, you can leave feedback (opens in new tab) about how easy it was for you and if you were able to do what you needed to.

So you put a form in online April, get a reply 16th Sept and a potential refund by christmas?!

wmb194

IAMIAM said:

You can expect a reply by
16 September 2025

This date is an estimate and may change.

More information

HMRC has security measures in place to protect customers which may cause a delay.

We may need a further 12 weeks after 16 September 2025 to issue your repayment.

We are currently processing claims received on 12 May 2025.

If you’ve finished, you can leave feedback (opens in new tab) about how easy it was for you and if you were able to do what you needed to.

So you put a form in online April, get a reply 16th Sept and a potential refund by christmas?!

How much are you owed? This year - SA submitted in April - I received my sub-£100 refund in about a week.

Dazed_and_C0nfused

In my experience HMRC make the majority of Self Assessment refunds within days of a request being made.

Is it possible your claim, although perfectly correct in your eyes, could be something that is less clear cut in HMRC's eyes?  Or a very large amount?

Is there even a pending refund on your account or is it an unused credit balance?

Alliat

I have been waiting for months for my tax refund; it is surprising how long HMRC takes to process even simple cases.

Dazed_and_C0nfused

Alliat said:

I have been waiting for months for my tax refund; it is surprising how long HMRC takes to process even simple cases.

Is it a Self Assessment refund?

If so is it a pending refund or still a credit balance?

Mothman

Submitted my SA return in July and received the refund due (£1900) within 7 days.

IAMIAM

Got mine after ringing. Its the same every year, they have a problem with me being SA and PAYE at the same time