August 25 2016.



Taxpayers can now opt to get their money back direct from HM Revenue and Customs – via their digital Personal Tax Account – without the need for a cheque or trip to the bank.

The online tax refund service is available to customers who use their Personal Tax Account. Tax that they have overpaid will be returned directly to their bank account within 3-5 days.

Ruth Owen, Director General of Customer service, HMRC said: “This new service puts customers in control of their tax affairs allowing them to claim any money owing to them immediately. They can claim at a time that suits them, from a device of their choice, securely, and without needing to wait for a cheque in the post.

“Now customers will have access to funds cleared in their account within 3-5 days rather than the two weeks it would typically take for a cheque to be issued, banked and cleared.”

The online refund is just one of many services customers can access through their Personal Tax Account. With over 34 quick and easy services which would have previously meant a letter or phone call to HMRC, the Personal Tax Account makes tax less formal and timeconsuming.-

With the Personal Tax Account customers can:

view and update personal details

see how their tax is calculated

see the progress of forms they’ve sent us

check the expected level of their state pension

find out about Marriage Allowance entitlement, and make a claim online

see tax credits payments and report changes in circumstances

Webchat is available to support customers who need help while accessing their online tax account.


Go to the Personal Tax Account sign-in page on GOV.UK: www.gov.uk/personal-tax-account.