Tax Refund
After completing your self-assessment tax return or rebate request, how long does it typically take to receive a tax refund from HMRC?
Normally, it takes between 1 to 3 months to receive your tax refund. While some rebate companies promise a faster turnaround, it’s important to review the terms and conditions as none of these companies have priority status with HMRC for their clients.
What might be causing your tax refund delay? There are several common reasons:
- Busy times of the year, like January/February and April/May, can slow down processing times.
- Forgetting to report additional income, like earnings from an extra job at the beginning of the year, can lead to delays.
- Missing bank account details can result in HMRC sending a slower paper check instead of a direct bank transfer.
- Any irregularities in your self-assessment return, such as unreported business income, may require HMRC to investigate before issuing a refund.
- Existing penalties on your account may need to be settled before a refund can be processed.
For more specific information about your refund status, it’s best to contact HMRC directly. You can reach them at 0300 200 3310, though be prepared for potential hold times. Alternatively, HMRC offers an online checker for tracking your refund status, which you can access at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-when-you-can-expect-a-reply-from-hmrc
