Status of Self-Assessment tax refunds

If you are due a tax refund for your self-assessment, you might receive a text from HMRC letting you know how it’s processing.

The message will confirm your refund is being processed and when to expect it.

HMRC will never:

• Ask for personal or financial information
• Include links promising you a refund in exchange for details

If you get a message like that, do not click or reply.

You can report it by texting 60599 (network charges apply) or emailing it to phishing@hmrc.co.uk.

How to tell if a message is genuine?

Sometimes HMRC will send branded messages, coming from HM Revenue and Customs, that include the HMRC logo and show verified sender info.

They may also contain links to official GOV.UK pages or webchat, but they will never ask for sensitive information.

What could different messages involve?

Self-assessment and refunds

• Letting you know your tax refund is being processed
• Telling you when to expect it

Child benefit

You may get a message to confirm:

• They have received your Child Benefit claim
• You have successfully opted in or out of Child Benefit payments
• A change to your account
• A claim has been successful

Confirmation and update text messages

HMRC may contact you by text message to confirm that they have received:

• A claim
• A form
• Any other correspondence

Pension research

HMRC has been working with People for Research to learn more about how customers experience receiving a pension.

You may get a text from People for Research inviting you to take part in a 60-minute chat, which could be online, over the phone, or in person.

Taking part is completely up to you. If you do get involved, here’s what you can expect:

• Everything you share will stay confidential
• It’ll only be used for research
• Your information will be handled securely and in line with data protection laws

Survey after a call to HMRC or a compliance check

• If you’ve agreed to give feedback after calling one of HMRC’s contact centers, or have recently been through a compliance check

This may involve getting a short text with a link to an exit survey.

Tax credits

You could get a text to:

• Confirm or remind you about a tax credit claim interview
• Ask you to call the Tax Credit Helpline to chat about your claim

Please note: changes to how you claim Self-Assessment repayment

HMRC has paused the issuing of Self-Assessment repayment for new claims via phone or webchat, which includes the Agent Dedicated Line.

This is part of a stronger security check being introduced because of the ongoing suspected fraudulent repayment attempts.

• Agents can still claim client refunds online through their agent account
• Call the HMRC helpdesk on 0300 200 3600 if you can’t access your online account
• Apply by post if you’re digitally excluded

If you have already submitted a claim, most existing refund queries are still fine to handle over the phone or webchat, but in a few cases, claims may be impacted, and HMRC may ask you to do this online instead.

Telephone and webchat can continue to be used for other Self-Assessment enquiries.

HMRC may message for a number of reasons, but it is important you are cautious and know it is truly them that has contacted you.

If you are worried about the authenticity of a message from HMRC, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Take a screenshot of the email in question and send it to contact@whyfield.co.uk. Please never forward the message as it is, as this creates more risk of others clicking on malicious links.