to wish the HMRC would get their arse in gear?

[spangledboots]

Can anyone shed any light on my situation? Is this normal/AIBU?

Started my first proper job after graduating this October and was put on an emergency tax code. I wasn't going to be earning over the £8,150 tax free allowance between October and April so it was a bit frustrating that my wages weren't as high as I initially anticipated.

Called HMRC and was told I needed to update my record in writing to reflect the fact I'd started a new job so I did and heard nothing for two months. I called again and was told they'd lost the information so I resent it.

In February I was told that I needed to provide a p45 for a temp job I'd had for a week. I should have probably known that myself but I had asked in October and December if there was any documentation I needed to send and was told 'no'. So I sent this on.

3rd April I get a letter saying they've got all the information they need for a recalculation and that my tax code etc. is all in order for this tax year. I didn't hear anything for another two months so called up on the 7th June to see what was going on. The guy on the phone told me that they'd received my information but had forgotten to enter the details into their system. He apologised profusely and said they would deal with it immediately and that I'd have a recalculation notice within 14 days. It's been three weeks now; I'm going to wait another week and call again if I don't receive anything.

I'm feeling quite frustrated - to some people they money they owe me isn't huge but for me it's almost a month's salary. Do they normally get away with holding on to money they owe for so long?

Thanks in advance!

Yes they do get away with it all the time its almost like its standard practise to hold on to it as long as possible.

they are underfunded and have very variable staff, like anywhere - some are conscientious and efficient and some are dumb monkeys. Which type you get affects the service you get.

it's not 'them' getting away with anything. It's life.

So should I just leave it and hope to hear something in the next few weeks?

I did say on the phone that I'd prefer if they gave me a realistic estimate of how long it'll take them to correct their mistake - if they'd said six weeks then I'd have just had to suck it up.

If you owed them money, how long do you think they would leave it?

didn't really understand all of your OP but if you paid too much tax in the last tax year then a new code isn't going to get it back for you is it? as it is only the code for the year we are in now - I think you have to fill in a tax return or something to get back last year's tax? Unless I am confused as I am not sure I followed the whole thing.

Even when you owe them money it is a challenge to pay it to them. Had a frustrating hour on the phone going through loads of automated options and still didn't get through to speak to anyone. I had a query that had to be answered before paying and as far as I was concerned I had the phone record to show I'd been trying to speak to them if they tried to fine me for late payment,

How to reclaim PAYE overpayments
How you reclaim overpaid tax will depend on your circumstances.
If you're an employee
You can telephone or write to tell HMRC why you think you've paid too much tax. They may already have everything they need to check your claim. If not, they'll tell you what information they need.

This Year
Any refund due for this year will be included with your wages.
Contact HMRC

Previous Years
If you've paid too much tax for previous years, HMRC will send you a P800 Tax Calculation and any refund you may be due by the September after the tax year. You do not need to send us your P60 certificate.
If you think you are due a repayment and HMRC has not notified you by the September after the tax year then you can telephone or write to tell HMRC why you think you've paid too much tax
In most cases you'll get back the tax you've overpaid as long as you claim on time. Read the section 'Time limits for claiming a tax refund through PAYE'
If you've become unemployed or retired
If you've been working but have recently become unemployed or retired read the guide below to find out how to claim your tax refund.
How to claim a tax refund when you stop working

copied from this page

Actually it isn't HMRC's cock-up, it's yours and your employers.

When you started your job you should have given your P45 from your temp job to your employer and completed a P46 saying it was your only job. Then you would have been on the right tax code from the start and not paid any tax.

After the end of the tax year it takes a while before everyone's details are sent through to HMRC and updated on their system, and until that happens they can't send you a calculation.

But the initial problem was your fault not theirs.

Forgot to add YANBU - They don't seem to know there arse from their elbow

oh I thought you were after a new tax code but now I understand you are waiting on the P800 calculation for last tax year so you get your refund. Hope it comes soon. Even though it was your fault to start with, they have messed you about and lost information you sent them and "forgot" to enter it on their system so YANBU.

Ah! I'd totally missed the part about potentially needing to wait until September! That's okay then if that's the length of time it sometimes takes. I'll wait until October before getting worried, then. I feel silly now!

When I spoke to them at the end of February they told me everything would be in order after I sent them the P45 (my fault, yes, but I did ask them in November what I needed to send them - I explained my circumstances in detail) and said that after the new tax year I'd receive a recalculation after four weeks (I waited 10 weeks or so before calling - glad I did now as if I hadn't - when would they have picked up the fact they hadn't entered my details in April as they'd stated they had?)

Thanks guys!