Tax refunds for 2014/15

Tax refunds for 2014/15

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I've been filing clients' tax returns "online" since 2007/08, and each year I've over a dozen cases where a refund is due - not always the same clients year in year out, but usually all very straightforward instances.

Unless a particular return has been "selected for a security check/random security check", there's a standard process more or less on each and every occasion:

1 Online, on the day the return is submitted, the client's online page in "Online Services" shows the return has been received.

2 The next day, often a link "request repayment" appears (even though the request/bank details etc have always been made on the return itself...)

3 The next day, the advice "Payment Pending" appears.

4 The next day, it says the payment (ie tax refund) has been sent.

5 The next day, the refund arrives in the client's bank account. Job done.

For this year (2014/15), I've submitted six client's returns so far with requests for repayments/bank details, from as far back as 7 April, and each and every one has been stuck at the "Payment Pending" stage (see "3" above) for several days...

I phoned the Agents' Dedicated Line about this, and got no joy there. Broadly, one of two types of HMRC staff picks up the phone - ones you can talk to and others you can't. Some take pleasure in going out of their way to assist in arriving at a positive outcome to the call, whilst others present as strait-jacketed jobsworths. Sadly I drew the latter on this occasion.

Are any other readers experiencing undue delays in obtaining 2014/15 refunds, and if so, are there any known solutions to this annoyance?

Replies (25)

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RedFive
By RedFive
19th Apr 2015 09:18

I've got exactly the same problem - all payment pending.

I blame the general election.

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By 01638603404
20th Apr 2015 08:51


Same here everyone pending, but I do know of others who have received them.

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By Topps
20th Apr 2015 10:06

Same

No rebates been paid out at all as of yet. All showing as pending. Perhaps HMRC has run out of money :-)

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By madlena
20th Apr 2015 11:14

I had 3 payments paid from returns submitted on 06 April. Payments made on 14 April. Everything else is pending.

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By 01638603404
20th Apr 2015 11:47

On speaking to another practice this morning, refunds received for returns submitted on 7 April but nothing since.

There is nothing left Madlena has emptied it :-)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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By 01638603404
20th Apr 2015 11:56

We called the online services and after 28 minutes we got the response that the problem is across the board, and everything pending since 8 April onwards for SA.

 

 

 

  

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By songb1rd
20th Apr 2015 18:09

Should be OK Soon...

Thank you 01638601404 - I called online services too after reading your post.  I didn't have to wait quite as long - it was only 20 minutes - though sadly they were less helpful - they hadn't heard that this problem exists, and advised that I should phone "the local tax office". The Officer gave me the number: 0300 200 3300.

This took closer to the 28 minutes wait, and the lady I spoke to hadn't heard anything about it either.  She went away to enquire, but came back to the phone only to tell me that no-one else there knew about the refund delay either.

Then someone in the office apparently overheard the conversation, and told the lady that yes, refunds have been held up, and the reason is because the "Truce System" had been down.  I was also told that it's up and running now, and that they'll start processing refunds as of (?)today...

My wife agreed with RedFive - she reckons that because there's no government right now, HMRC are becoming rather anarchistic in their approach...

 

 

 

 

 

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Replying to CW2012:
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By Baines and Moss
20th Apr 2015 21:44

The same thing happened a few years ago. Huge delay nationwide on releasing repayments.

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By christopher darbyshire
21st Apr 2015 14:56

Payment pending since 17th april

My tax return has been payment pending since the 17th april. I submitted my return on the 8th?

Why is it taking so long? anyone help? or am i just being impatient? :/

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By User deleted
21st Apr 2015 15:11

Impatient

I've read that various people have called HMRC and the general consensus is that HMRC ran a software update on the 7th April causing a system error with every return filed after that date. Repayments will be pending, but the problem is due to be resolved by either yesterday or today. However there is a 5 week back log.

I've been following this thread: https://forums.bigmoneysaving.com/showthread.php?t=5218907&page=26

Although HMRC does say repayments can take up to 5 weeks https://www.gov.uk/claim-tax-refund/when-you-get-your-refund so ringing HMRC or sending complaints is just a waste of time and money for everyone involved.

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Replying to andrew1211:
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By Baines and Moss
22nd Apr 2015 11:18

We think the software rumour is a ruse for the real reason.

 

 

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By Anne Robinson
21st Apr 2015 16:46

I'm still trying to get 2014 refunds issued!

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By Howard Marks
21st Apr 2015 20:02

Same and more....

None of mine even made it to the pending stage, they were all just sat there waiting to be requested.  I requested them all online twice and all stayed stuck so I had to call the agent line and go through each one client by client for them to request each one manually.  They're all now pending.

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By hughjoyce
21st Apr 2015 21:59

I have the same. Just posted this question on another thread then saw this. I have all in pending, some from the 7th. They should inform staff so they can give an informed answer. If Ive ever met a group of people who give less of a toss, I must have forgotten

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By 01638603404
22nd Apr 2015 08:23

Two have cleared for repayment today, so should be received tomorrow. Both of these returns were received by HMRC on 10 April.

 

 

 

 

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By Baines and Moss
22nd Apr 2015 11:16

We understand repayments are now being released.

As we posted same thing happened in 2010 prior to that election.

Was there been a memo from Treasury to delay tax payers repayments?

 

 

 

 

 

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By songb1rd
22nd Apr 2015 11:23

Me too!

...four of mine too, submitted 7th, 8th & 11th April.

Thank you HMRC, you're beautiful.

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By christopher darbyshire
25th Apr 2015 09:58

Mine says issued but hasnt hit my bank account?

CAN ANYONE HELP ME OUT PLEASE?

 

Can repayments go in your bank on the weekend? Mine changed to issued yesterday but its not reached my bank? is this beacause its the weekend??

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By Howard Marks
25th Apr 2015 10:03

@Chris
Prob arrive Mon. Can you check future transactions with your bank?

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Replying to Tax Dragon:
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By christopher darbyshire
25th Apr 2015 10:33

future transactions

Im with nationwide, ive just looked online but cant see an option for that....hopefully it will be there monday!?

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By christopher darbyshire
26th Apr 2015 23:38

repayment issued finally!

My repayment got issued on friday and had a message to my inbox saying it will reach my bank within 10 working days, but can it still get security checked even tho they have issued the payment? I think im just worrying but need reassuarance.

ANY HELP IS WELCOME

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By hughjoyce
27th Apr 2015 00:17

You had an email saying it's being released? I've never had one for a client. Are you an agent? We usually have to check each client individually on hmrc portal.

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By songb1rd
27th Apr 2015 11:01

Email to say refund is due..?

I've seen these before - it may very well be a spoof, so beware.

Are you being invited to send your bank or card details?

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By hughjoyce
27th Apr 2015 11:13

Agree Songbird. This would save a lot of time if such a system existed but I have never had an email about anyone ever. Only the spam, like you.

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By Gunnyndee
03rd Aug 2015 13:14

Held refund
Has any1 recieved a refund recently... Ive been waiting 6 weeks to b told latest 10/08 rang today o be old 15/08... Accordinly extra security... Waiting to put my house on the market... Realy peed off

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