I know these happen every now and then but I have a frustrated client and wondered if any one can shed any light on what checks HMRC actually do and why they take so long?
My client's cheque repayment has been pending since early December, just chased and spoke to HMRC agent who tells me the system says checks due to be completed by 26 March! That's almost 3 months to release a repayment.
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They do absolutely nothing. They just wait until they are chased and pay out then.... what checks HMRC actually do and why they take so long?
That was my understanding as well
Stick on hold and forget until chased
Then say it will be 8 weeks to complete
Recent honest HMRC man said blocked will never br released without a call
Must be a large sum or unusual circumstances - I 'generally' find the repayment arrives PDQ.
This has appeared on several prior threads
1 Nearly all refunded really quickly that is normal
2 If blocked it does not sort itself out without follow up
3 There is no identifiable pattern to determine when block will happen
In my tax office days (an awful long time ago) I was the Repayment Security Officer. My job was to check the taxpayers ID to ensure the payable order was going to the right person. In those days we used the Electoral Roll etc, but I'm sure these days they use electronic methods. What I'm getting at is it always makes sense to ensure the clients personal details are as correct as possible on HMRC's records, as if they are not repayments do get delayed.
HMRC have introduced a new system for security checks. To quote from on of the threads on the HMRC/Agen Forum:
"HMRC have adapted their existing processes for undertaking security checks when a customer submits a Self-Assessment repayment claim. In some cases, HMRC will write to the customer asking them to get in touch if they have submitted the Self-Assessment tax return. If the customer makes contact, HMRC will issue a subsequent letter asking them to provide specific evidence to prove their identity. The Customer should respond to the letters as instructed in order to avoid being removed from Self-Assessment."
Having seen a copy of the letter it asks for a lot of information to confirm that it was the client who submitted the return and repayment claim (or Agent on their behalf) and then asks for AML type evidence to be provided to prove identity & address