Requested higher rate pension tax relief - what next?

[Grrbang]

Back in Feb I sent a letter to HMRC requesting higher rate tax relief for the fy20 tax year and three previous tax years.

Not heard anything since. Expected a tax code adjustment or cheque by now, but I’m new to all this so could assume wrong.

Same for my covid work from home expenses tax relief claim, made around the same time.

Should I nudge or is it normal to wait longer?

[Carbon Sasquatch]

Three years relief for what ?

If it's for pension contributions, I just made net contributions into a SIPP & they automatically reclaimed the tax.

[Abdul Abulbul Amir]

Carbon Sasquatch said:

Three years relief for what ?

If it's for pension contributions, I just made net contributions into a SIPP & they automatically reclaimed the tax.

The SIPP provider claims back the standard rate of tax and adds to your pot. If you're a higher rate payer you claim back the additional tax via your tax return.

[GadgeS3C]

I claim mine back every year through self-assessment. Response is usually around a week. They have adjusted my tax code so most of it is already sorted. Nice problem to have

[Carbon Sasquatch]

Abdul Abulbul Amir said:

The SIPP provider claims back the standard rate of tax and adds to your pot. If you're a higher rate payer you claim back the additional tax via your tax return.

Oops - of course - I must remember mine when I do the return - I've usually done salary sacrifice.

[Grrbang]

GadgeS3C said:

I claim mine back every year through self-assessment. Response is usually around a week. They have adjusted my tax code so most of it is already sorted. Nice problem to have

Ok, that’s quick! Was wondering if I’m supposed to wait a long time, but it seems that I can check with them now presuming there should be no extra delay when doing it by letter.

Will have to switch to self assessment anyway later this year, for claims going forward.

[leef44]

Do you have online government gateway access set up?

Last year they put mine on line without any further communication so I was waiting and waiting then I checked on line. Eventually found it there but it said it was waiting for transferring to my account or something like that.

So I waited some more and eventually found out that I was meant to tell it to transfer to my account. So I gave my bank details (which they already have) to transfer to my account and it was instant.

[GadgeS3C]

Grrbang said:

GadgeS3C said:

I claim mine back every year through self-assessment. Response is usually around a week. They have adjusted my tax code so most of it is already sorted. Nice problem to have

Ok, that’s quick! Was wondering if I’m supposed to wait a long time, but it seems that I can check with them now presuming there should be no extra delay when doing it by letter.

Will have to switch to self assessment anyway later this year, for claims going forward.

As Leef mentioned, are you on government gateway? They tell me every year I don't need to do self-assessment but as as they always owe me money I do it anyway.

Yes, have been impressed how fast the money ends up in my account. I enjoy early April

[Grrbang]

leef44 said:

Do you have online government gateway access set up?

Last year they put mine on line without any further communication so I was waiting and waiting then I checked on line. Eventually found it there but it said it was waiting for transferring to my account or something like that.

So I waited some more and eventually found out that I was meant to tell it to transfer to my account. So I gave my bank details (which they already have) to transfer to my account and it was instant.

Good shout thanks!

It's a bit obscure, but finally found a reference to the letter through a "Check Progress" link in the menu bar.

"Track the progress of a form you sent us.

Your form is taking longer than estimated to process.

We are either doing technical work for it, or are busier than usual.

... Estimated completion 04 Mar 2021"

Will try calling them and seeing if they need bank details, because the details weren't included on my letter to them.