If your HMRC account says “repayment issued”, you will usually receive the money within 3 to 5 working days. In most cases, HMRC sends the payment within 3 days of authorising it, and the extra time depends on your bank, building society or chosen payment method. Bank transfers are normally the fastest, while cheques can take several weeks.
Key points to know:
- “Repayment issued” does not mean the money is already in your account
- Most BACS repayments arrive within 3 to 5 working days
- Weekends and bank holidays do not count as working days
- Security checks, recent tax payments and incorrect bank details can slow things down
- If you have waited more than 10 working days, you should contact HMRC
HMRC’s own guidance says most taxpayers receive their repayment within 5 days of authorisation, although BACS payments can occasionally take slightly longer.
Understanding Your HMRC Status: The Repayment Stage Tracker
If you are checking your Personal Tax Account, you will notice different statuses as your refund progresses. Mapping these to the official HMRC Internal Manual (SAM110020) helps clarify exactly where your money is:
| HMRC Status | What is Happening Behind the Scenes? |
| Draft | The HMRC system has calculated a potential overpayment but has not yet formally approved the refund. |
| Selected | Critical Stage: Your repayment has been flagged for manual security or risk checks. This is a common cause for delays beyond the standard 5-day window. |
| Authorised | A caseworker or the automated system has verified the amount and approved it for release. |
| Transmitted | The payment instructions have been sent to the BACS system for processing. |
| Issued | The funds have officially left HMRC. You are now in the 3–5 working day “banking window” for the money to clear into your account. |
The “Working Day” Reality: When Will the Money Land?
A common mistake is counting weekends or the day of the update as “Day 1.” HMRC uses the BACS system, which only operates on business days. If your status changes to “Issued” on a Friday afternoon, your countdown doesn’t truly begin until Monday.
Typical BACS Timeline Example:
- Day 1 (Monday): HMRC status updates to “Issued.” The payment instruction is sent to the bank.
- Day 2 (Tuesday): The payment enters the central banking clearing system.
- Day 3–5 (Wed–Fri): The funds are cleared and become visible in your available balance.
Note: If a Bank Holiday falls within this window, add an extra 24 hours to your wait time.
What Does “Repayment Issued” Mean on Your HMRC Account?
When your HMRC account shows “repayment issued”, it means HMRC has completed its internal checks and released your refund for payment. At this stage, the repayment has already moved beyond “draft”, “selected” and “authorised”.
However, “issued” does not mean the money is already sitting in your bank account. It simply means the payment has been sent to the banking system or payment provider and is now waiting to clear.
Before reaching this point, your refund usually goes through several stages:
- Draft – HMRC has created the repayment
- Selected – the repayment has been chosen for manual review
- Authorised – HMRC has approved the repayment
- Transmitted – the payment has been sent to HMRC’s repayment system
- Issued – the payment has been released to your bank, card provider or cheque service
Many people become concerned when they see “issued” but no money appears immediately. In reality, this is normal. HMRC often updates the status before the bank transfer fully clears.
One taxpayer described the process by saying:
“I’ve been issued a repayment by HMRC through self assessment. It appeared on my SA account pending on the 21st and has changed to issued today. I called today and managed to get a BACS reference number.”
That experience is common because the repayment can still take a few days to move through the BACS system after the status changes.
Why Does HMRC Say “Issued” but the Money Is Not in Your Bank Yet?
It can be frustrating to see “repayment issued” on your HMRC account and still find that your bank balance has not changed. In most cases, there is no problem. The status only means HMRC has released the payment. Your bank or building society still needs to process it before the money appears.
There is often a delay of several working days between HMRC issuing the repayment and the money reaching your account. The exact timing depends on the payment method, your bank and whether the repayment was sent just before a weekend or bank holiday.
How Long Do BACS Payments Usually Take After HMRC Issues Them?
Most HMRC repayments are sent by BACS. After HMRC marks the repayment as “issued”, BACS payments usually take another 3 working days to appear in your account.
A typical timeline often looks like this:
- Day 1: HMRC marks the repayment as issued
- Day 2: The payment enters the banking system
- Day 3 to Day 5: The money reaches your bank account
Some banks process BACS faster than others. Online banks occasionally show the payment sooner, while traditional banks may take the full three working days.
One person discussing their refund timing said:
“How long will it take before it hits my account? I assume even if they are HMRC it still follows BACS procedure of 3 working days maximum?”
That is generally correct. HMRC repayments still follow the normal BACS timetable once they have been issued.
If your payment has not arrived after 5 working days, it does not necessarily mean something is wrong. HMRC may have sent the payment at the end of the working day, meaning the BACS countdown starts the next business day.
Can Weekends and Bank Holidays Delay an HMRC Repayment?
Yes, weekends and bank holidays can make your refund take longer than expected. HMRC and the BACS system only process payments on working days.
For example, if HMRC issues your repayment on a Friday afternoon, the transfer may not begin until Monday. If there is also a bank holiday, you could wait until Tuesday or Wednesday before the money appears.
This catches many people out because the HMRC status updates immediately, even though the banking system is closed.
Common delays happen when:
- The repayment is issued on a Friday
- There is a bank holiday weekend
- Christmas, Easter or other public holidays interrupt processing
- Your bank processes incoming payments later in the day
For instance, if your repayment is issued the day before Good Friday, you may need to wait until the following Wednesday or Thursday before the money reaches your account.
A repayment that seems late may therefore still be completely normal if several non-working days fall in between.
Does the Timeframe Differ for Bank Transfers, Cards and Cheques?
The time you wait depends heavily on the repayment method HMRC uses. Bank transfers are usually the quickest, while cheques are much slower.
Repayment times can vary depending on the method HMRC uses to send your refund:
| Repayment Method | Typical Time to Receive the Money |
| BACS bank transfer | 3 to 5 working days |
| Card repayment | Up to 5 working days |
| Cheque or payable order | 2 to 5 weeks |
| P800 online claim paid into a bank account | Within 5 working days |
| P800 repayment sent by cheque because you did not claim online | 6 to 8 weeks |
In some situations, HMRC may send the repayment back to the same card you used to make a tax payment. This can happen even if you entered bank details on your return.
Cheque repayments take the longest because they involve printing, posting, and then waiting for the cheque to clear after you deposit it.
A taxpayer waiting for a cheque may feel the process is unusually slow, but this is often simply the nature of postal repayments rather than a sign of a problem.
HMRC says customers should usually receive the repayment within 5 days of authorisation, although BACS payments can take slightly longer because of bank processing times.
What Are the Different HMRC Repayment Statuses and What Do They Mean?
HMRC uses several repayment statuses to show where your refund is in the process. Understanding these can help you work out whether your payment is moving normally or whether there may be a delay.
| HMRC Status | What It Means |
| Draft | HMRC has created the repayment but has not approved it yet |
| Selected | The repayment has been picked for manual checks |
| Authorised | HMRC has approved the refund |
| Transmitted | The repayment has been sent to HMRC’s payment system |
| Issued | The payment has been released and is on its way |
| Rejected | The BACS payment failed, usually because of incorrect bank details |
| Pending | The repayment is being reviewed or checked further |
| Cancelled | HMRC stopped the repayment before or after issue |
The “transmitted” stage often causes confusion because the repayment has been approved but not yet fully issued. HMRC explains that when a repayment shows as “transmitted”, it has usually been authorised within the previous two days.
“Pending” can also worry people, but it often simply means HMRC is carrying out additional checks before releasing the money.
If your status changes to “rejected”, you should check that your sort code and account number are correct because HMRC may need updated details before it can reissue the repayment.
Why Can an HMRC Repayment Take Longer Than 5 Working Days?
Although most HMRC repayments arrive within 5 working days, some take much longer. This usually happens because HMRC carries out additional checks, holds back part of the refund or cannot send the money successfully.
If you have already waited longer than a week, it is worth looking at the possible reasons before assuming the payment has been lost.
Can HMRC Security Checks Delay a Tax Refund?
Yes, HMRC security checks are one of the most common reasons for delays. Every repayment is checked against fraud and risk criteria before the money is released.
HMRC is more likely to review a repayment if:
- The refund amount is unusually large
- You recently changed your bank details
- The claim covers several tax years
- Your return contains information that looks unusual
- You are claiming a repayment for the first time
If this happens, your repayment may move from “draft” to “selected” rather than being authorised automatically. HMRC may then ask you to confirm your identity or provide additional documents.
These checks can add anywhere from a few extra days to several weeks. One explanation often given by HMRC is that the refund has been selected for “pre-repayment risk criteria”, meaning the system wants extra reassurance before releasing the money.
Do Recent Tax Payments or Outstanding Liabilities Affect the Repayment?
Yes, recent payments and future tax bills can reduce or delay your repayment. HMRC does not always refund the full amount immediately if you still owe tax for another period.
For example, if you submit your Self Assessment return within 45 days of another tax payment becoming due, HMRC may keep part of the overpayment to cover that bill.
HMRC can also hold your repayment if:
- You made a tax payment within the last 14 days
- You have a balancing charge due soon
- You owe tax from a previous year
- You have multiple returns being processed together
Recent payments are often held for 14 days because HMRC wants to make sure the money has fully cleared before issuing a refund. This can be confusing because your account may show a repayment is due, but the amount released is smaller than expected.
For example, if you are due a £900 refund but owe £300 in tax next month, HMRC may only repay £600 and keep the rest on your account.
Can Incorrect Bank Details or Rejected BACS Payments Cause Delays?
Incorrect bank details are another common reason why an HMRC repayment takes longer than expected. If the account number or sort code is wrong, the BACS payment can fail and return to HMRC. When that happens, your repayment status may change to “rejected”.
The most common banking issues include:
- Wrong sort code
- Incorrect account number
- Closed bank account
- Name mismatch between the account and the tax record
If your payment is rejected, HMRC will usually need updated bank details before it can issue the refund again. This can add another week or more to the process.
A good example is when someone changes banks after filing their tax return but forgets to update HMRC. The repayment is still sent to the old account and then bounces back. HMRC says a rejected repayment specifically means the BACS system could not process the transfer successfully.
How Long Do Different Types of HMRC Tax Refunds Usually Take?
Not every HMRC refund follows the same timetable. The speed depends on the type of claim and how you submit it. Self Assessment refunds are usually the quickest when you claim online. These often arrive within 3 to 10 working days after the repayment is issued.
PAYE and P800 refunds can take longer because HMRC first needs to send the calculation and wait for you to claim the money.
Typical refund times include:
| Type of HMRC Refund | Typical Time to Receive the Refund |
| Self Assessment online repayment | 3 to 10 working days |
| PAYE or P800 online claim | Around 5 working days |
| PAYE cheque repayment | 2 to 8 weeks |
| P87 work expense claim | 8 to 12 weeks |
| P85 leaving the UK claim | Up to 16 weeks |
| CIS refund through Self Assessment | 1 to 2 weeks after issue |
| National Insurance refund | 6 to 12 weeks |
Complex claims involving multiple tax years, overseas income or large expense claims may take longer because HMRC often reviews these manually.
If you are waiting for a standard online bank transfer, however, most repayments still arrive within the usual 5-working-day period once HMRC marks them as issued.
What Should You Do If Your HMRC Repayment Has Not Arrived?
If your HMRC repayment has not appeared after 5 working days, the first thing to do is stay calm and check whether weekends or bank holidays have slowed the process.
Then review your HMRC account to see whether the status has changed from “issued” to “rejected” or “pending”.
You should also:
- Confirm that your bank details are correct
- Check whether you recently changed banks or closed an account
- Look for messages in your Personal Tax Account
- Count only working days, not weekends
If more than 10 working days have passed and there is still no payment, contact HMRC directly.
Before calling, make a note of:
- Your National Insurance number
- Your Unique Taxpayer Reference if you use Self Assessment
- The repayment amount
- The date the status changed to “issued”
One taxpayer described the situation this way:
“Realise this question is probably answered and debated every day here. I’ve been issued a repayment by HMRC through self assessment.”
That is exactly why it helps to wait the full 5 working days first. Most repayments do arrive during that period, even if the wait feels longer than expected.
How Can You Check the Status of Your HMRC Repayment?
The easiest way to find out what is happening with your repayment is to check your HMRC account online. This gives you the latest status and may explain whether your refund is still being processed, has already been sent or has been delayed.
If you understand the status shown, you can often work out whether you simply need to wait a little longer or whether you should contact HMRC.
Where Can You Find Your HMRC Repayment Status Online?
You can check your repayment by signing in to your Personal Tax Account or Self Assessment account through GOV.UK.
Once you log in, look for:
- “View your latest Self Assessment return”
- “View account”
- “Repayment status”
- “Tax calculation” or “P800”
The repayment section may show terms such as “pending”, “authorised”, “transmitted” or “issued”.
If you are waiting for a PAYE refund, the information may appear in your Personal Tax Account instead of your Self Assessment page.
Many people check the status several times a day, but HMRC updates are not always instant. Sometimes the account changes to “issued” before the bank has even started processing the payment. A useful rule is to check once each working day rather than every few hours.
When Should You Contact HMRC About a Missing Refund?
You should normally wait at least 5 working days after the repayment becomes “issued”. If the money still has not arrived after 10 working days, it is reasonable to contact HMRC.
You should contact HMRC sooner if:
- The repayment status changes to “rejected”
- The bank details shown are wrong
- HMRC asks for more information
- The repayment has been stuck on “pending” for several weeks
For a cheque repayment, you may need to wait longer before contacting HMRC because these often take 2 to 5 weeks. If your repayment is connected to a P800 or PAYE refund, HMRC may also take longer during busy periods around the end of the tax year.
The busiest periods are usually:
- January, when Self Assessment returns are due
- April, around the end of the tax year
- Bank holiday periods
Calling too early often results in HMRC advising you to wait a few more days.
What Information Should You Have Ready Before Calling HMRC?
Before contacting HMRC, make sure you have all the details they are likely to ask for. This helps the call move more quickly and reduces the chance of being asked to ring back later.
You should have ready:
- Your National Insurance number
- Your Unique Taxpayer Reference
- The amount of the repayment
- The date the status changed to “issued”
- The bank account details you provided
- Any BACS reference number if you have one
If HMRC believes the payment has been sent successfully, they may ask you to contact your bank. If they see the repayment has been rejected, they may ask you to confirm your details so they can send it again.
In some cases, HMRC can also tell you whether the refund was held back to cover another tax bill due within the next 45 days.
Why Was My “Issued” Amount Less Than Expected? (The 45-Day Rule)
A common point of confusion is receiving a repayment that is smaller than the figure shown on your original tax return. This is often due to a technicality in the HMRC manual regarding liabilities “becoming due.”
The 45-Day Rule: If you have another tax payment due within the next 45 days, HMRC has the right to automatically deduct that upcoming debt from your current refund before “issuing” the remainder to you.
For example, if you are due a refund in June, but you have a Payment on Account due on July 31st, HMRC may apply your refund balance toward that July bill instead of sending the full cash amount to your bank.
What to check:
- Log into your tax account and view your “Statement” or “Payments Due.”
- Look for any upcoming deadlines within the next 6 weeks.
- If a deduction has been made, it will show as a credit against your future tax liability.
Stuck in “Selected” or “Pending”? Use This Tool
If your status has been stuck on “Selected” or “Pending” for more than 10 working days, calling HMRC may result in long wait times. Instead, use HMRC’s official tracking tool to see their current processing speeds for your specific tax type.
Check When You Can Expect a Reply from HMRC
How to use it:
- Select “Self Assessment” (or your specific tax category).
- Choose “When will I get a reply to a form I sent or a question I asked?”
- Enter the date you filed your return or requested the refund.
This tool provides a live date for when HMRC is currently working through its backlog, giving you a more accurate timeframe than the general “3–5 days” estimate.
Conclusion
If your HMRC account shows “repayment issued”, you will usually receive the money within 3 to 5 working days. In most cases, there is no need to worry if the payment does not appear immediately. HMRC may have released the refund, but your bank still needs time to process it.
The most common reasons for a delay are weekends, bank holidays, security checks or incorrect bank details. BACS repayments are normally the fastest, while cheque payments can take several weeks.
The best approach is to check your HMRC account, count only working days and wait at least 5 days before becoming concerned. If 10 working days have passed with no payment, contact HMRC with your repayment details and bank information ready.
Most delayed repayments are eventually resolved once HMRC confirms the status or updates your account details.
FAQs
Can HMRC issue a repayment on the weekend?
HMRC can update your account status at any time, but payments are only processed on working days. If your repayment is marked as issued on a weekend, the transfer will usually start on the next working day.
Why does my HMRC repayment still say pending?
Pending means HMRC has received your refund request but is still reviewing it. This often happens when extra checks or supporting documents are needed.
How long does HMRC take to send a cheque?
Cheque repayments usually take between 2 and 5 weeks to arrive. It can take longer if there are postal delays or your address is out of date.
What happens if my HMRC repayment is rejected?
A rejected repayment usually means the bank details were incorrect or the account is closed. HMRC will normally ask you to provide new details before sending the money again.
Can HMRC keep part of my refund?
Yes, HMRC may keep some of the repayment if you have another tax bill due soon. This often happens when a Self Assessment payment is due within the next 45 days.
Is a BACS refund faster than a cheque?
Yes, BACS repayments are much faster and usually arrive within 3 to 5 working days. Cheques can take several weeks because they must be posted and then paid into your bank.
Should I contact HMRC if my refund has not arrived after 5 days?
You should first make sure you are only counting working days and not weekends or bank holidays. If more than 10 working days have passed, it is a good idea to contact HMRC for an update.
