HMRC refund delays

Is there anything I/we can do?

Didn't find your answer?

We are getting massively frustrated, as I'm sure others are too at the long delays in processing and repayment of tax refunds by HMRC.

Other than spending ages on the phone continuously chasing these is there anything else that can be done either individually or collectively as accountants? Some clients are in real need of the amounts owed to them. 

Would raising a complaint with ACCA/ICAEW help at all or would it just be further time wasted (isn't this what membership fees should be for?). 

Might be wishful thinking but as a site for accountants could accountingweb look into/report on this as I no longer consider this acceptable behaviour from HMRC? 

 

 

Replies (12)

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By rmillaree
29th Jun 2021 14:30

i think you need to be more speficic - we have had covid issues unfortunately. Are your expectations perhaps unduly optimistic.

I have found sa refuds to be generally fine
cis company refunds got batch through last week which is better than last year
corp tax - not great - chase as soon as its a day past expected and that should move things along.

feel free to use the client "needs refund to live on escalation route" if needs be that is a hassle as you may need evidence to prove this is the case.

Obviously any refund can be held up for any random reasons thats just life - probably nowt can be done if hmrc deem that extra checks are needed and they add to timeframe.

I suspect complaints will get very little done IMHO - your MP may love to take em (hmrc) to task though so who knows.

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Lisa Thomas
By Lisa Thomas - Insolvency Practitioner
29th Jun 2021 14:52

We are waiting 6 months to get VAT refunds on Liquidations and HMRC have told us to stop chasing them and not to bother them in asking for tax clearances in MVLs as its taking 3 months before they even open a file...

The only thing that sometimes speeds it up, is a complaint.

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By ireallyshouldknowthisbut
29th Jun 2021 15:41

I've just been lobbing in complaints after 6 months, seems to work in about 2-3 weeks.

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By Leywood
29th Jun 2021 17:56

Prof bodies not interested (Ive said it before).

Maybe you could ask John S to try, just send him a PM?

I reckon if you chase too much they just hold on to the cash for longer, but Im a cynic!

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Replying to Leywood:
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By Paul Crowley
05th Jul 2021 12:18

In prior years I have been told that on the agent line
If you call again before X weeks the refund will be delayed.

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By cbp99
30th Jun 2021 10:50

We had one for a self-employed (cis) client last year that was dragging on for months. Eventually suggested taxpayer contacted his MP. Paid within two days. (In fact in their sudden rush, HMRC overpaid!)

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Replying to cbp99:
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By Michael Davies
30th Jun 2021 12:07

A few weeks ago someone suggested an email to Jim Harra .I have got nowhere with Complaints,so tried that yesterday.Just coming up to a year with the claim for carry back of losses.It’s a fairly complicated claim;so I have no problem with HMRC turning it down. Just tell me,and I can then retire !I can only assume that the delays are due to HMRC concentrating on SEISS and simply due not have the processes in place to d/W working from home.Most other big organisations have now got their “ducks in a row”.

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Replying to cbp99:
By Paul D Utherone
05th Jul 2021 16:48

cbp99 wrote:

We had one for a self-employed (cis) client last year that was dragging on for months. Eventually suggested taxpayer contacted his MP. Paid within two days. (In fact in their sudden rush, HMRC overpaid!)


Nice to know that this route might still be effective. I remember back in HMIT local office days when receipt of an MP complaint letter by the DI brought down the wrath of god, and immediate resolution . Loss of local district offices seemed to have taken the sting out of such letter - well that and the new breed of politician with no interest in their constituents, only the greasy pole.
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By hannahaston
05th Jul 2021 11:42

I'm awaiting a few refunds for clients, I don't know what's going on but it seems to be due to the Covid grants received. I've submitted the Self Assessments using my software (Taxfiler) and they aren't appearing on the agent government gateway. One of my clients has been awaiting a refund since end of April and I'm sick of getting hassled.......

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Replying to hannahaston:
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By spilly
05th Jul 2021 22:31

If your client is getting tiresome over this, I suggest that you let them do the chasing with HMRC. We’ve done this a few times in the past months as we simply can’t spend the time trying to get through anymore.
They soon appreciate our problems once they have been on hold for 40 minutes, get cut off as soon as the call is answered, or are told that a call back is needed (which never comes).
Be prepared though for an indignant call from the client about how appalling the HMRC ‘service’ is.

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Replying to hannahaston:
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By legerman
06th Jul 2021 11:46

hannahaston wrote:

I'm awaiting a few refunds for clients, I don't know what's going on but it seems to be due to the Covid grants received. I've submitted the Self Assessments using my software (Taxfiler) and they aren't appearing on the agent government gateway. One of my clients has been awaiting a refund since end of April and I'm sick of getting hassled.......

I've only got the one, submitted 24th April, small refund due but only date submitted showing on tax account. Been in touch with HMRC who say they're still being processed but no date yet.

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By STEPHEN PAUL Westerman
28th Jul 2021 12:12

I have a handful and on some of these have identified a minor error on the clients grant figure supplied, all less than £20 but HMRC say this causes it not to process. Easy to correct by filing an amended tax return but has anyone tried this? And more to the point does it work?
HMRC say they will correct this - yes but when, taking months?

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