HMRC refund delays in practice
A delayed HMRC refund usually shows up as a P800 letter saying a repayment is due, a Self Assessment account showing “repayment requested”, or a PAYE overpayment after a job change. In many UK households it becomes obvious when the expected money does not arrive within the timeframe HMRC suggested, or when a bank account is checked daily and nothing lands. Common patterns include the refund sitting as “pending” online, a cheque being issued instead of a bank transfer, or a repayment being paused after HMRC asks for proof of identity.
Typical knock-on effects are missed direct debits, relying on an overdraft for longer than planned, or having to delay a purchase. Where the refund is linked to a tax code change, the delay often overlaps with confusion about why take-home pay is still off. If the tax code itself looks wrong, it can be worth checking the underlying issue too (see HMRC tax code wrong).
Most common reasons it stalls
Wait for processing
Backlogs are the most frequent cause. PAYE reconciliations (P800) and in-year adjustments can take longer during peak periods, especially around the end of the tax year. Even when an online account shows a repayment due, the payment run may not happen immediately.
Check identity flags
Security checks can pause a repayment, particularly if bank details were recently added, a new address was used, or there were multiple employments. Sometimes the online account gives no clear warning beyond a lack of progress.
Confirm bank details
Repayments can fail if the account name does not match, the sort code/account number is wrong, or the bank rejects the payment. A failed payment may revert to a payable balance without a clear explanation, or HMRC may switch to issuing a cheque.
Review employer submissions
PAYE refunds depend on Real Time Information (RTI) from employers. If a P45 was not used, a starter checklist was completed incorrectly, or an employer submitted late or corrected figures, HMRC may hold off until the record looks consistent.
Spot duplicate claims
Where a refund was requested more than once (for example, via the online account and then by phone), the system can pause while it checks for duplication. This is also seen when an agent is involved and a separate request is made directly.
Handle Self Assessment offsets
For Self Assessment, HMRC may automatically set a repayment against other debts: current-year payments on account, older tax, or sometimes other HMRC balances. The repayment can look “delayed” when it has actually been used to clear something else.
Step-by-step checks that work
Confirm the repayment type
Start by identifying whether the refund is PAYE (often linked to a P800 or tax code change) or Self Assessment. The route matters because the checks and timelines differ. For PAYE, look for a P800 date and whether it says “you will receive a cheque” or “paid into your bank”. For Self Assessment, check the “Repayments” section and whether a request was actually submitted.
Check the status online
Log into the Personal Tax Account or Self Assessment account and look for messages, repayment status, and any prompts to confirm identity. If the account shows a repayment but no payment date, note the exact wording and any reference numbers. Screenshots help later if the status changes.
Verify bank details carefully
If bank details are stored, confirm the sort code and account number digit-by-digit and check the account name matches what the bank expects. If details were recently changed, expect extra checks. If a cheque is mentioned, confirm the address on record is correct and up to date.
Look for offsets and debts
On Self Assessment, check whether the repayment has been allocated to a balancing payment, payments on account, or an older charge. On PAYE, check for any outstanding amounts shown in the account. If the refund has been used to clear a balance, the “delay” is often an allocation rather than a missing payment.
Match figures to payslips
For PAYE refunds, compare the taxable pay and tax paid on recent payslips (and P45 if relevant) with what HMRC shows. If an employer used an emergency code or missed earlier pay/tax, the record can take time to correct. Where something looks clearly inconsistent, note the pay period and amounts so it can be raised precisely.
Check for recent changes
Repayments commonly pause after a change of address, name, bank details, or a new job. If any change happened in the last few weeks, expect additional verification steps. If a letter has been issued, check whether it asks for action (for example, confirming bank details or identity).
Contact HMRC with specifics
When calling or using online messaging, have the repayment amount, the date it was shown as due, and any reference numbers ready. Ask directly whether the repayment is “in progress”, “stopped for security checks”, “issued by cheque”, “failed and returned”, or “set against another balance”. Vague enquiries often lead to generic answers; specific questions usually get a clearer status.
What happens if it’s left
Expect longer queues
Delays rarely resolve faster by waiting once the normal timeframe has passed. The longer it sits, the more likely it overlaps with another HMRC process (year-end reconciliation, Self Assessment statements, or a tax code update), which can add extra steps.
Risk missed post
If HMRC has issued a cheque or sent a verification letter to an old address, the refund can be effectively stuck. Cheques can expire, and reissuing them usually requires extra checks.
See pay stay wrong
When the refund is linked to a tax code issue, leaving it can mean ongoing incorrect PAYE deductions. The refund might be only part of the problem if the code is still not reflecting allowances or benefits correctly.
When to escalate properly
Escalate after clear delay
If the expected timeframe has passed and the online account shows no movement, escalation is reasonable. Ask for the case to be reviewed for security holds, failed payments, or offsets. If the issue is tied to incorrect coding or employer data, ask what HMRC needs to correct the record and whether an employer resubmission is required.
Gather useful evidence
Having the right evidence tends to speed up UK cases. Useful items include: the P800 letter (date and reference), screenshots of the repayment status, recent payslips showing tax code and year-to-date figures, P45/P60, bank details confirmation, and a timeline of changes (new job, address, bank details). If a cheque is involved, note when it was supposedly issued and the address it was sent to.
Use the right route
PAYE issues are usually handled through the Personal Tax Account and PAYE helpline routes, while Self Assessment repayments are handled through the Self Assessment account and related support. If a complaint is needed, it helps to keep it factual: what was promised, when, what has happened since, and what resolution is being requested (release the repayment, reissue a cheque, or explain an offset).
FAQ
Check normal timeframes
Timeframes vary by repayment type and checks. If the account shows a repayment due but nothing has arrived after the stated period, it is usually either a security hold, a failed payment, or an offset against another balance.
Handle “repayment pending”
“Pending” often means it is queued for a payment run or paused for verification. Note the date it first showed as pending and ask HMRC whether it is awaiting security checks or has a scheduled issue date.
Switch from cheque to bank
If a cheque is being issued, bank details can sometimes be added for future repayments, but an already-issued cheque may still need to be cancelled and reissued. Confirm what stage it is at before changing details again.
Fix a failed bank payment
If the bank rejected the payment, HMRC may mark it as returned. Ask whether the repayment can be reissued and whether bank details need reconfirming. Avoid repeated changes to bank details while it is being reprocessed.
Understand offsets to debts
HMRC can use a repayment to clear other amounts due. If the refund has been offset, request a breakdown showing what it was allocated to and on what date, then check whether that allocation is correct.
Before you move on
Write down the repayment type (PAYE or Self Assessment), the amount, the first date it showed as due, and whether bank details or address changed recently, then take one action: check for offsets in the account or contact HMRC asking if the repayment is held for security checks, failed, issued by cheque, or allocated elsewhere. If you felt pushed to act quickly or told there was no time, that’s often a sign the process wasn’t handled properly.
Get help with the next step
If the refund is still stuck after the checks above, get tailored help with what to ask HMRC and what evidence to gather at https://ukfixguide.com/contact/.
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