hmrc self assesment (tax returns) processing times

picitup

Hi All

I did the dreaded tax return yesterday (31st) and finished it by 12:30pm (lunchtimeish) so was about 12 hours before the deadline.

When I logged in it informed me I owe 11p from a previous year. I filled it all in and submitted it. This time I owed about £250. I tried to pay, but it still said I owed 11p, which, of course is old data. It said it can take up to 72 hours to process the data, so thought I'd try again this morning (Sunday 1st Feb).

It still says I owe 11p, but now says my submission is late. It seems the sytem that processes your data is about as fast as snail, and the one that checks for lateness is quicker.

On the bright side, I have an email from hmrc which arrives at around 12:30, a few minutes after submission with a reference code in it.

Further, when I had finished, a screen came up with a long Submission Receipt Reference Number and I had the forsight to do a print screen of this and save it. I was pleased I'd done this as the acknowledgement email doesn't include the reference number above DOH!

So…….. What's next? Tried to ring the helpfline, but of course, it's Sunday, so will have to be tomorrow. With super low expectations, I guess they will try and fine me and I'll have to fight that. Sure do hate the admin and sure to hate dealing with HMRC!

Ok, I'll stop moaning now. I''ll give them a bell tomorrow and see if they will help me get it sorted. At least I have all the evidence…. 🥳

Hope it was smoother for others reading this…. 😁

Keep smilin' 😁

Dazed_and_C0nfused

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6653182/hmrc-self-assesment-tax-returns-processing-times

What will you be fined for 🤔

Self Assessment returns tend to take around 2-3 days before liabilities are updated on your account. Maybe a bit longer at this time of year.

Are you quite certain you can't make a general payment of however much it is you want to pay?

Ayr_Rage

Why on earth didn't you file before yesterday?

Dazed_and_C0nfused

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81864738#Comment_81864738

Some people seem to love to prevaricate!

ashteadgirl

On the HMRC app it gives you two options pay the amount owed or press other button which is pay different amount. Hope this helps

sheramber

The number of people who filed their return on deadline day 31 January 2025 was 732,498,

How long do yiou think it takes to process that number?

The calculation you do is offline, it is not updated online until the return is processed.

Once a return is processed the statement of account will be updated.

If you leave your submission to the last minute then you need to pay what your calculation shows, not wait until the processing is done.

badmemory

It amazes me how trusting people are. If I tried leaving this until the last day you could pretty much guarantee either HMRC would crash or my bank would go offline. 300 days just isn't long enough!

sheramber

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81865205#Comment_81865205

Crashing has happened.

picitup

Thanks @ ashteadgirl That's very helpful. I'll do that. 😁

picitup

They tried to fine me for late submission a year or two ago when I couldn't get past the Tailor section as it kept giving "Tailor Error". It was a bit of a bun fight, but got there in the end.