What to Expect in 2026
Waiting for HMRC can be one of the most frustrating aspects of managing your tax affairs. Whether you are waiting for a UTR, a tax refund, or a reply to a query, knowing the typical processing times can help you plan and avoid unnecessary worry. This guide provides up-to-date information on HMRC’s expected processing times for various services.
If you are contacting HMRC about a delay, see our guide on Contacting HMRC for the best ways to get through.
HMRC Service Dashboard
HMRC provides a service dashboard where you can check the current processing times for different areas, including Income Tax, Self Assessment, and VAT. This is the best place to get the most up-to-date information. However, the following are general guidelines.
Processing Times at a Glance
| Service | Expected Processing Time |
|---|---|
| UTR Application (Online) | ~ 10 working days. See our guide: When Do You Get a UTR Number? |
| UTR Application (Post) | Up to 6 weeks. See our guide: When Do You Get a UTR Number? |
| Self Assessment (Online) | Immediate to a few days (for online submission). See our HMRC Self Assessment Guide. |
| SA302 Calculation | Automatic (accessed online). |
| Paper Tax Return | Up to 6 weeks. See our How to Submit Tax Return to HMRC Online? guide for why online is faster. |
| Tax Refund | Usually 2-4 weeks, but can be longer. Use our UK Tax Refund Estimator to check your position. |
| HMRC Correspondence | Variable; can be several weeks. |
| Agent Query Resolution | Up to 20 working days. |
Specific Processing Times
1. UTR Applications
Getting your UTR is a critical first step.
- Online registration: HMRC aims to send your UTR by post within 10 working days.
- Postal registration: This is much slower and can take up to 6 weeks.
If these times have passed, you can use the ‘Where’s my reply?’ tool if you are an agent, or call HMRC to check the status (though they will only re-send the UTR by post). For more information on common issues, see our guide: Common UTR Number Problems.
2. Self Assessment Filing
- Online Filing: Once you submit your online tax return, it is processed immediately by HMRC’s system. You will get a confirmation code straight away. The official calculation (the SA302) can be viewed and downloaded from your online account shortly after.
- Paper Filing: Paper tax returns take significantly longer to process, up to 6 weeks, because they need to be manually entered into the system.
3. Tax Refunds
The time it takes to get a tax refund from HMRC can vary. If you file online and request your refund, it’s usually paid within 2 to 4 weeks. However, if HMRC chooses to review your return, or if there’s a discrepancy, it can take considerably longer.
4. General Correspondence
If you write to HMRC, you should expect a significant delay. For simple queries, they may take several weeks to reply. For more complex issues raised by agents, HMRC aims to resolve the query within 20 working days via their dedicated resolution services.
Why Are There Delays?
- Volume: HMRC receives a massive volume of submissions and queries, especially around the 31 January deadline. Use our UK Self Assessment Deadline Checker to plan ahead.
- Manual Processing: Any process that involves a paper form or manual intervention takes much longer.
- Security Checks: Some processes require additional verification and security checks, which add time.
How to Check the Status of Your Query
- For Agents: You can use the ‘Where’s my reply?’ tool on GOV.UK to check the expected processing date for a query you’ve raised.
- For Individuals: You can usually check the status of your tax return or payment through your Personal Tax Account.
What to Do If You’re Waiting Too Long
If a deadline is approaching or you feel HMRC is taking too long, the best course of action is often to contact them to check the status. However, this can be frustrating.
We can help. As agents, we can use our dedicated channels to check on the status of your application or query and, where possible, expedite the process.
Don’t wait for HMRC to get back to you. Let us chase them for you.
📚 Related Guides
• Contacting HMRC
• When Do You Get a UTR Number?
• HMRC Self Assessment Guide
• How to Submit Tax Return to HMRC Online?
• UK Tax Refund Estimator
• Common UTR Number Problems
• Personal Tax Account Guide
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