VAT repayment delay

My client's online VAT account is showing that HMRC has processed repayments to him and that these should reach his account within 3 working days. This was on 26 February 2024 and no repayments have been received. The online account also states that the repayment history will disappear after 60 days. I have read threads suggesting that it sometimes takes HMRC months to repay. This is unacceptable and also concerning if the online account is showing repayments having been made. Is the online account for VAT repayment information incorrect? Who can be contacted to resolve this as my client is in cash flow difficulties as a result of this delay with repayments.

Hi,

Please contact our VAT team so that we can look at the account and investigate and progress chase the repayment returns.

Thank you.

Hi there, I have a similar situation, can this be progressed online or do I need to phone the helpline? Thank you.

Hi,

Please contact our VAT team so that we can progress your repayment claim.

VAT: general enquiries

Thank you

We file an annual VAT Return and have overpaid (not significantly) on the instalments in the year recently finished. That happened once before and a repayment made within days of filing. I expected similar this time around. The VAT return details shows HMRC owes us money but no repayment shown as being in progress (although the online account says it would expect to be shown 24 hours after filing the return). I gave it 3 weeks and rang the help line yesterday (45 minute wait) and was told, in effect, that it needed us to contact HMRC to trigger the refund. The agent said he would initiate the repayment. 24 hours later nothing is showing as being in progress. This, frankly, is a disgrace if that is now HMRC's policy and the trader has to chase HMRC. Maybe someone from HMRC could comment. Has anyone experienced similar?

I have a similar situation where (after HMRC investigation) the repayment was approved. I had an email confirming it was approved and online showed the repayment should have been received 2 weeks ago. So I spent 45 minutes holding to get through to someone who then took another 20 minutes to say that the payment had now been released and I should get if within 10-15 days. Let's wait and see if that happens! I asked why the Online system was telling me repayment had been made and was told " I shouldn't pay attention to it as it is an automated message". Seems a little odd when we are constantly told (while holding to get through to a real person on the phone) to look online for answers!

Hi Desmond High,

If you have sent in an annual return and the return total is less than the total instalments you have made, then there should be an automatic credit release in to your bank. Occasionally, the credit can remain on the account in which case we would then request for the release of the credit from our banking team. This can take a few days for the credit release to take place. We apologise for the delay.

Thank you.