Can an overpayment be used again my tax bill?

[feistychicken]

Hoping someone might know the answer to this query and help me potentially shortcut some admin!

I have completed my self assessment, and for arguments sake owe HMRC £10,000.

I have £4000 sitting on self assessment account which is an overpayment and I could ask for that to be refunded.

Is it possible to use the £4000 against my current tax bill directly rather than paying the £10,000 and waiting for the refund separately?

Thanks!

My understanding is that you can! I have a balance against my tax account from which the amount I owe (much lower) is being taken.

A bigger issue is how I get the remaining balance back as everytime I request a refund, it doesn't go through and I can see no reason why even when I leave more than enough to cover the tax bill.

Yes you definitely can

Brilliant - thank you so much for your responses!

I know exactly what you mean - I’ve tried in the past to get a refund, and always put my bank details in to have any overpayment repaid on that section of the SA form, but it has never been forthcoming!