How Long Does A Tax Refund Take?

HMRC Processing TimeHow long does it take for a tax rebate to go into your bank?

For most kinds of refund, everything moves pretty quickly once HMRC have approved the amount. As for how long it takes HMRC to process a tax return, though, you're probably looking at 8-10 weeks for them to sort out their end of things.

Once we've got all your information, it usually takes about 4 weeks to put your claim together. We then send it to HMRC who will review it. Once they give us the green light and confirm the total, we take our fee and get the money to you within 3 working days. We'll let you know by phone and text when the cash is on its way. As for how you get your refund, you can choose either a cheque or direct bank transfer.

So, what are you waiting for? Get started on your tax rebate today.

The tax rebate timescales with RIFT Refunds

We’ve summarised how the process works below but it’s worth noting that depending on the time of year, these timescales can change:

Sign and return your 64-8 form to authorise us as your agent as quickly as possible. It can take us between 2-6 weeks to become logged as your agent.

The 64-8 form is the most important piece of paperwork we need to claim your tax rebate for you. It’s what allows the taxman to talk to us instead of you dealing with him personally. HMRC won’t let us do anything on your behalf without it. Edward Waine ATT, Quality & Service Manager at RIFT Tax Refunds

Get all the information to us as soon as you can. This includes things like your UTR number if you’re self-employed and documentation relating to the specific costs you’ve incurred.
It usually takes us about four weeks to put your claim together. But again, depending on time of year this can vary anywhere between 2 days or 12 weeks.
It’s then sent to HMRC to review, which can take about 8 or 9 weeks.
Once HMRC is happy with it, they will confirm the total.
We take our fee and get the money to you in three working days. We’ll let you know by phone and text when the money is on its way to you. You can choose cheque or direct debit.

Is there anything that can affect the tax rebate timescales?

The biggest factor that can affect the potential timescales for getting your cash is an incorrect application – that’s why it pays to work with us to process your rebate in the best way possible. We ask you to collaborate with us and provide us with as much information as you can – this includes all your work expenses. Take a look at our documentation checklist, which should give you an idea of what we need from you.

The workload at HMRC can also be a factor. Immediately after the self-assessment deadline of 31st January, the new tax year and the tax credit renewals deadline on 31st July, HMRC will be swamped. Avoiding these times will help get your application processed as quickly as possible. However as a RIFT customer you’ll benefit from our close relationship with HMRC. We monitor HMRC response times on a weekly basis and will keep you informed on any changes.

HMRC Processing TimeHow can I get my refund faster?

If you're worried about how long it takes to get a tax refund, there are some things you can do to speed up the process. HMRC are always busier close to the self assessment tax return deadline of 31 January, and the tax credit renewals deadline of 31 July and they tend to be slower at those times. Check our calendar of key self-assessment dates and deadlines and make sure you're not caught out.

We'll be able to give you an estimate of how long it will take to get your tax refund when your claim begins. Our close working relationship with HMRC means we receive regular updates on their current workload, procedures and timescales for different kinds of enquiries.

Some things to bear in mind to make the process as fast as you can:

We need your Authorising your agent (64-8) form signed and returned to us before HMRC will let us make your claim, so the quicker you can get that back to us, the sooner we can chase them for you. This is the single biggest delay which prevents us from getting your tax refund processed quickly. If you need a new one you can download it, print it and send it back to us by Freepost. Without 2 hard copies with your signature, HMRC will not talk to us about your claim. It seems annoying, but it's a legal requirement to protect you from fraud.
If you are self-employed and already have a UTR number (unique taxpayer reference) then this speeds up the process considerably. If you don't have a UTR number yet then we can get you set up and that typically takes around 2 weeks.
If it's the first time you've done self assessment then we need to open a self assessment record for you. It's a good idea to do this as soon as you know you'll need one. If you wait until deadline time HMRC become very busy and the process can be slow.
The more documentation you can send us, the quicker we can get the claim calculated. It's always a good idea to keep records of your work expenses, whether or not you're thinking of making a claim right now. Have a look at our documents checklist to see if you have everything you need. The more evidence we can provide to HMRC the better the refund we can get for you.
If you need to get documents from your employer and they are worried about what is involved then send them to our Information for employers page. Sometimes employers can be worried that a claim is being made against them, rather than from HMRC, but this will explain everything and set their minds at ease. If you need us to contact employers or ex-employers to get paperwork on your behalf, just let us know.

Can I process my tax rebate myself?

Of course, there’s no reason why you can’t process your tax rebate yourself. But if you’re looking to get the money as fast as possible, it’s crucial not to miss any of the steps or the important documentation. It can be a complex process if you’re a first timer.

By using RIFT Refunds to do everything for you, you’re putting your trust in our expertise. We deal with HMRC every single day and know exactly what it takes to get a tax rebate over the line as quickly as possible. Plus, you can track the progress of your rebate with our helpful RIFT Refunds App. If you use our handy tax rebate calculator too, you can get a good idea of what you may be owed before we start your claim.

Tax Refund AdviceWhat can RIFT do for me as my agent?

RIFT will handle the entire tax refund process for you from start to finish. We will help you gather all the information you need, prepare and submit your claim.

We'll deal with HMRC for you. You'll never have to phone them or reply to their letters yourself. After you’ve had your refund, you can call us any time with questions about your tax. Keep in touch and we’ll keep you on the right side of the taxman, completely free of charge.

If you spot that your tax code has changed and don't know why get in touch and we'll get if fixed if HMRC's got it wrong. Our tax refund calculator lets you look back over the past 4-years so you can continue to use it each year to see what you could be owed. It takes less than a minute to complete and gives you an instant estimate.

It's all part of the service, and there's a lot more we can do behind the scenes as well - just have a look at these numbers below for the amount of time we're saving you on the phone to HMRC for starters!

Claim Process

Why choose RIFT Refunds?You will benefit from

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Track my claimTrack your tax refund claim in the RIFT Tax Refunds app

Use the RIFT tax refunds app to track the status of your HMRC tax refund. We'll keep you up to date every time the status of your claim changes and even give you an expected pay out date so you'll down when you're getting your cash. All you have to do this think about how to spend it! PLUS you can earn even more money while you wait for your tax refund by using the app to refer your friends to RIFT too.

Just search for 'RIFT Tax Refunds' in the app store.

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HMRC Processing TimeHMRC response times

We monitor HMRC response times on a weekly basis and will keep you informed of the status of your refund throughout the process. If you want an update at any time, just give us a call -we can sit on the phone to HMRC for you while you get on with better things!

Start your claim for free

When do HMRC pay tax refunds?Why might I be owed a tax refund?

There are actually lots of reasons why you might have to claim tax back from HMRC. Most of the time, it'll be because you've been spending money in order to do your job. Travel to temporary workplaces is a common reason, but there are many more. It's not just about your expenses, either. For example, you might be owed a tax refund if:

You've been given an "emergency" tax code, or your tax code is wrong.
You're self-employed and your payments on account are too high.
You have more than one job and aren't getting the full value of your tax-free Personal Allowance.

It can also make a difference if your personal circumstances change. If you leave a job part-way through the tax year, for instance, the tax you've paid might be too high. You might also become eligible for tax relief that you couldn't claim before. If the taxman realises that you've paid the wrong tax, he'll send you a P800 tax calculation to tell you.

Tax Rebates Calculator

When do HMRC pay tax refunds?I've got a P800. Will my tax be refunded automatically?

If you've been sent a P800 tax calculation from HMRC, it means you've either paid too much or too little tax. What happens next depends on your situation. If you've underpaid, HMRC will explain how they'll claw the money back. In many cases, they'll take care of it automatically in instalments. If they can't do that, they'll let you know what you have to do to settle up. In those cases, it'll usually involve a cheque or bank draft.

If you've paid too much tax, your P800 will explain what you have to do to get it back. In some cases, your tax rebate will happen automatically. That usually takes around 2 weeks to come through. Otherwise, you might be able to claim it online.

Remember, not receiving a P800 doesn't mean you're not owed a tax refund. All it means is the taxman doesn't know he owes you the money. Of course, with RIFT you won't need to worry about dealing with the hassle and complexity of all this. If we're already handling a travel refund claim for you, for instance, we'll take care of any other rebates you might be owed at the same time.

Start your claim for free

HMRC Payable OrderWhat is a payable order from HMRC?

A payable order is one of the ways HMRC pays out tax rebates. It's a lot like a cheque, and is either sent to you or directly to your bank. HMRC aims to send refunds out by payable order within 5 weeks, but sometimes takes a bit longer. If you get a P800 calculation that says you're owed tax back, you might receive a payable order for the refund along with it. If you're claiming your tax refund through RIFT, HMRC will send a payable order to us. We'll then take our fee and send the rest of the money straight to you.

HMRC ScamsI've got an email saying I'm owed a tax refund. Is it a scam?

If you get an email about tax rebates that seems to be from HMRC, watch out! HMRC will never contact you by email for things like this. They've got their own procedures. Don't give any personal information via email, don't follow any links and don't open any documents or other attachments you get. You could be falling for a scam. Always check with RIFT if you've been sent a dodgy-looking email from someone claiming to be HMRC.

Tax Refund Scams

Our GuaranteeOur guarantee means you'll never lose a penny

When you claim your tax rebate with RIFT, our unique RIFT Guarantee means that you don't have to worry about the taxman reclaiming any of your money. So long as you give us full and accurate information, if HMRC disagrees with the amount that we’ve claimed and ask for the money back, we’ll pay it. It won’t cost you a penny.

RIFT Guarantee

How quickly will I get my tax refund?

You should expect to get your tax refund payment in 8 – 10 weeks from first speaking to us, on average.

Putting together a full, comprehensive tax refund claim can take a couple of weeks, depending on how complicated your situation is. The quicker we have the information we need from you, the sooner you’ll get your refund. HMRC typically takes 8 weeks to go over all your details and confirm the refund amount.

One of the best ways to make sure you get your money fast is to sign and return your 64-8 form to us. This is a crucial piece of paperwork that means we can handle HMRC for you. They won’t even talk to us about your claim without 2 hardcopies of your 64-8, so get it done as soon as possible. It might be a pain, but it’s an important step to keep you protected.

Once we have your refund from HMRC, we’ll subtract the agreed fee for our service and get the rest of the cash to you as a cheque or bank transfer, whichever’s easiest for you.
Check out our guide, 'How long does a tax refund take?' to find out more, and to see some pointers on how to keep things moving smoothly.

Remember that you could still be owed tax refunds from up to 4 years back. You can make your claim at any time, but after those 4 years are up, your money’s gone for good.

Am I due a tax rebate?

Tax rebates are paid out by HMRC when someone has paid too much tax in a year. They’re a legal right, and shouldn’t be mistaken for a one-off bonus or some dodgy way of ‘cheating the system’. Simply put, when you pay more tax than you owe, you can claim the extra back as a tax refund.

For instance, paying from your own pocket for unavoidable work expenses like travel to temporary workplaces can mean you’re owed a tax refund for your expenses. They’re worth claiming back, too – refund payouts can cover up to 4 years, meaning full claims with RIFT stack up to £3,000 on average. Refunds are subject to fees of 36%. Exclusions apply.

The main reason people are missing out on their yearly tax refunds is that they simply don’t realise that they’re owed money – much less how to get it back. HMRC can only refund your tax when they know that you’re owed money, and the system for claiming it back can be complicated if you’re not a tax expert. That’s where RIFT’s specialised, 1-to-1 service comes in. With our help, you’ll never miss out on the tax refunds you’re due.

All you need to do is answer a few basic questions to get your tax refund moving. See our tax refund calculator for an instant estimate of what HMRC owes you.

What Are RIFT's Prices?

Our standard tax refund charges are:

• Tax refund if employed ‘on the books’ and taxed via PAYE: 36% of refund claimed (including VAT). Minimum fee £60 (including VAT).

• Tax refund for CIS (including tax return preparation and submission): £330 (including VAT).

Not everyone’s work situation is cut-and-dried, of course. If you’ve been both employed and self-employed during the period of your claim, we can still work out any refund you’re owed and let you know the fee for claiming it.
RIFT services, prices and options.

As soon as your tax refund arrives from HMRC, we’ll take out the agreed fee and send you your money. You pay nothing at all up-front and there are no hidden charges down the line. If you don’t have a refund claim, then there’s no charge at all.

Before your claim goes out to HMRC, you’ll get a copy from us to explain how everything works. This breakdown will show you:

• The total refund we calculated.
• RIFT’s fee.
• The VAT charged by HMRC.
• Your final refund total.

When you’ve read your calculation through and are happy to proceed, simply sign it and send it back to us. Make sure to sign the declaration that the information you gave us was correct, so we can get your claim moving.

As far as fees and charges go, that’s it! Our single fee includes year-round aftercare, with no additional charges for answering questions, solving problems or chasing HMRC until your money arrives. We’ll even take care of tricky things like fixing your tax code if HMRC changes it incorrectly.

What’s more, our unique RIFT Guarantee makes sure your money stays in your pocket, where it belongs. If HMRC makes an enquiry, we’ll handle it for you – and if they ask for some of your refund back we’ll pay it ourselves at no cost to you. Just make sure all the details you gave us were accurate and you’re covered!

We’ll even send you a reminder to claim again next year so you don’t miss out.

What are your opening hours?

You can reach us on the phone or Livechat

Mon-Thurs: 8:30am – 8:30pm
Fri: 8.30am – 6:00pm
Sat: 9:00 – 1:00pm
You can email us or send us a question or feedback through our contact page at any time and you can leave us a private message through our Facebook page

What's the Difference Between a Tax Return and Tax Refund?

A tax return is how you tell HMRC about the full amount of money you made and a full overview your spending.

A tax refund is money you can get back from HMRC when you've overpaid tax. There are a couple of reasons you might pay too much, and you often have to file a claim and prove you did.

What Happens If I Don’t Get My Self Assessment In On Time?

There’s no excuse for not be strict with self assessment tax return deadlines, even if you don't owe HMRC anything. If you miss the deadline there are a number of self assessment tax return penalties that you could be hit with:

£100 automatic fine for filing even a single day late,
£900 in penalties can stack up over the next three months
£3,000 for each year you can’t provide the necessary records

However, we can help you with that. We can comple your tax return, or making the calculations for any refunds due, we can speak to the HMRC on your behalf. Get additional self assessment tax return tips and advice here.

How long does a HMRC tax refund take?​