Tax Refund. How Long Should I Have To Wait?

[thesecondlaw]

I'll keep it as short as possible. I was stopped tax at Basic Rate for whole of tax year 2014/15, and I'm owed £2000 from taxman. I've written, phoned (always put on hold, never spoken to anybody), sent back all the information I have, but to jo avail. We are now over half way through this current tax year. I thought I would have had my rebate by now. Any advice welcome. Thanks

[wolf63]

Do you have confirmation from Mr Tax Man that you are owed this money?

[thesecondlaw]

No, but I've done the necessary calculations on their website.

[Dogsbody2]

By that, do you mean you completed an online self-assessment tax return for the 2014/15 tax year??
If so, something is wrong. They generally return any overpayment a two weeks after. They should have written by now if they wanted to clarify your return.
Evenings 1800hrs to 2000hrs are sometimes a good time on their phonelines.

[thesecondlaw]

I sent back a self-assessment tax form (with no additions on it, as I had been employed and paid tax and NI for whole year through PAYE) back in April. The HMRC webpage has a 'tax calculator' app, which tells me what tax I should have paid.

[woofgang]

so you sent a paper form back. Have you had confirmation that they have received it?

[thesecondlaw]

I sent a paper form back in April. When I hadn't heard by 1st July, I wrote to them, asking the question I'm asking you good people now, only to be told I would have to send in a tax return form first. So, I sent another on 28th July to be on the safe side. As far as I'm concerned they've had two forms, the second of which was posted over ten weeks ago.

[fiction-factory]

If you were employed I'm not sure it was necessary to fill in a self-assessemnt form.
I have used two methods with equal success when i had two or more employers and some were using a BR/emergency code. I used to send a letter with a table setting out my employers, ref nos, gross, tax, net and my calculated refund. If I sent in May after getting p60s I usually got a refund within 4-5 weeks.
In the last 2 years I have filled in the relevant online claim form. That was equally quick. I always have my refund in June

[woofgang]

but do you KNOW they have received it?

[thesecondlaw]

Woofgang, no, I'm on the phone to them now. On hold, as we speak.

[Dogsbody2]

I think a call will be able to establish if and when it was logged.
Estimating how long to process is a length of string question.
So many people taken out of organisation that they are less able than before to do calculations. They want people to move onto the online return system.

[fiction-factory]

For anyone else wanting to do this, the follwoing online system is fairly straightforward and the turnaround time is 4-5 weeks I find
https://www.gov.uk/check-income-tax

[thesecondlaw]

I think that's the calculation site I used FF, which told me how much I'd overpaid. I rang HMRC and waited an hour, but still no joy with speaking to anyone. Think I'll write again in the morning. Thanks everyone for your input.

[fiction-factory]

Once you have calculated it takes you onto this
https://www.gov.uk/claim-tax-refund
Did you complete the claim? They should acknowledge it and then process it

[fiction-factory]

If you want to go straight there here is the portal
https://www.signin.service.gov.uk/start

[thesecondlaw]

Ah, that looks promising FF. I'll give that a go. Thanks very much.

[thesecondlaw]

Aha, call it Sod's law I suppose, but I've received a letter from HMRC this morning, saying they owe me £1999.60, which is what I'd calculated. No cheque yet, but I think we're getting somewhere. Thanks to all for your responses.

[fiction-factory]

The money will be paid direct to your bank account if you included the details on your application, so i'd keep an eye on your online statements- may be in there within a few days.