If you are expecting a tax rebate through either PAYE or self assessment you can sometimes experience a delay in receiving your refund.
Earlier this year it was reported that HM Revenue & Customs was facing ongoing industrial action, which began in December 2024 and continued until 6 June 2025.
This extended strike, involving numerous HMRC personnel and contracted workers, caused major disruptions to key services and impacted taxpayers throughout the United Kingdom.
Both employed and self employed individuals were affected including CIS sub contractors expecting tax rebates.
The strike put more strain on an often overworked and understaffed public department which is an important factor to remember when dealing with HMRC staff.
Understanding the timeline for tax refunds can save you from unnecessary worry while waiting for your money.
The 2025 tax year has seen HMRC bring in some enhanced digital infrastructure which has undoubtedly streamlined some processes which should bring benefits for everyone.
Whether you’re self-employed or overpaid through PAYE we’ve covered below the best ways to track the progress of your refund and what you can do if you need to chase it up with HMRC.
Self assessment typical refund timelines after submission
Once you’ve submitted your tax return, the waiting period varies based on several factors:
Online submissions typically follow this processing timeline:
- Initial processing: 2-3 working days for HMRC to acknowledge receipt.
- Status update to “Being processed”: 5-10 working days.
- Status update to “Completed”: 2-4 weeks for straightforward returns.
- Refund payment: Usually 5-10 working days after completion.
Paper submissionstake considerably longer:
- Initial processing: 2-3 weeks for registration in the system.
- Full processing: 6-8 weeks (potentially longer during peak periods).
- Refund payment: Additional 5-10 working days after processing.
These timelines assume your return requires no additional checks. Complex returns involving multiple income sources, rental properties, or claims for extensive reliefs might face extended review periods, occasionally stretching to 8-12 weeks.
TIP:
Always double check the bank details you enter on your tax return. Entering your bank details incorrectly by even one digit will mean your tax rebate can’t be repaid as you originally expected.
Check your tax return status online
Checking your tax return status online is straightforward once you know where to look. HMRC has designed its digital services to provide clear information about where your submission stands in the processing queue.
Your tax return status can be found via your self assessment online account. Terms like ‘being processed’ and ‘payment sent’ are used to indicate where your tax return is at in the process.
The “Being processed” status typically remains for the longest period, particularly during peak times following the January deadline.
Should your status show “Under compliance check,” this doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem—HMRC randomly selects returns for additional verification as part of their standard procedures.
If you need to speak to HMRC you can call the self assessment helpline on 0300 200 3310 (8am-6pm weekdays) or use the Webchat service available through your HMRC account.
PAYE taxpayers with overpaid tax
Despite the Pay As You Earn system being designed to collect the correct amount of tax throughout the year, overpayments remain common.
Using your personal tax account is a good way to get updates on when your tax rebate may become available. The HMRC app is free to download and can give you the same information as the PTA.
For tax rebate claims made through a P87 or other tax rebate form timescales for completion can vary.
A P87 form can take around 10-12 weeks to be processed and longer for any refund of tax to be repaid.
Delays will be likely if you don’t provide all the details HMRC needs with your P87 or there is missing pay and tax details on your record.
You can use the expect when to receive a reply tool to get an estimation of when you can expect a response.
For payments that have been calculated HMRC will send you a P800 calculation and update your personal tax account to let you know how your rebate can be received.
How 2025 differs from previous years
The 2025 tax year introduces significant changes to HMRC’s processing systems:
- Enhanced digital infrastructure: Continued implementation of HMRC’s making tax digital initiative has streamlined digital processing.
- Automated risk assessment: New algorithms identify potential issues more efficiently than previous systems.
- Prioritised refund processing: New queue management systems expedite straightforward refund cases.
HMRC has also introduced dedicated processing teams for specific taxpayer categories, resulting in more consistent handling of similar cases.
HMRC’s upgraded online portal provides more detailed status information than ever before, allowing taxpayers to better understand exactly where their return sits in the processing pipeline rather than seeing generic status messages.
