Tax refund has NOT been issued - well past the prescribed "6-8 weeks".

Hi, I am writing to complain and inquire about my tax refund not being reimbursed to me, despite having reached the stated total number of weeks that it would supposedly take to make the refund. The refund was issued on the 24 April 2024. Since then I have been in contact with HMRC at least 5 times to inquire as to why this payment has still not been reimbursed to me. As of today, the 11th of June 2024, I contacted HMRC and was told that: "Payment is Current: Pending - Currently still under review. If further information needed letter may sent". I have been told that this could take an ADDITIONAL 8 weeks. This was AFTER the 8 weeks they claimed was the ONLY 8 weeks I would need to wait, was complete. So I am being told that an additional 8 week period is needed to clear these supposed "security checks". As you can see, this is a never ending, indefinite hold on my legally entitled funds. I find this completely unacceptable that I should be indefinitely cheated out of my own money by the government that I pay my taxes to, in good time. I would like a resolution to this and my money paid back to me immediately, please. As there is no justification for an indefinite hold on my funds, by the government.

Hi 

I'm sorry for the delay in refunding you your overpayment.
When carrying out checks on your overpayment, we may need to contact your sources of income to verify the figures you've provided - as such, releasing your overpayment can be dependent on how quickly we receive a response from these sources. While we fully appreciate how frustrating the wait to receive your repayment can be, we also have an obligation to be careful with taxpayer's money - any repayment fraudulently claimed and incorrectly issued is valuable public money potentially lost.

Thank you

Ok, if that’s the case how do I find out WHAT sources have been contacted for more information so that I can give them a nudge to provide that information? What if the people that have been contacted are now out of business? I need to know whi has been contacted to make sure that the process moves along quickly?? Can you orovide an answer to that?

Been waiting for 9 months now and still no reply nor update. Absolutely unacceptable.

HMRC Admin 5, I need to know WHO has been contacted to verify the sources of income. If you tell me this, I will be able to contact these people to make sure they are still able to respond to your inquiry. Otherwise, if, for example, they are now out of business, or the contact is no longer available for any reason, they will not be able to respond to you. Can you let me know WHO has been contacted to "verify" the sources of income and the figures so that you can be given that information immediately and thus, my payments can then be made out to me?

Hi madunse,

Contacting a source of income for verification is one of a number of things we may have to do as part of conducting security checks on your repayment, this was given as a potential reason for the delay you've experienced.
Ultimately, these checks are conducted to ensure the safety of your record.
If you wish to formally complain, you can do so via:

Complain about HMRC

Thank you.

HMRC - I want to be very clear - I am aware that contacting a source of income is a potential reason as to why the tax refund has not been made. What I'm actually asking is to know who was contacted so I can ensure that HMRC received a response to their inquiry in a timely fashion. Can this information be provided to me? And if it can be, how do I go about getting it? Thank you

It would be useful if when HMRC write to say you got your Tax Return wrong (even though its correct) they included the individuals who writes to you email address, so your reply could be made via email thus saving time and saving HMRC losing the reply!!! We are in the 21st Century, well all apart from HMRC. This would save time and money.

Name removed admin .

Hi madunse,
If your repayment had been selected for security checks then to check on the progress you will need to contact HMRC.
Self Assessment: general enquiries
We would be able to provide a timescale for when we aim to complete the checks.
Or, if a letter has been issued requesting further details. 
Thank you.