HMRC criticised for delays in processing tax refunds

08 May 2025

HMRC has come under fire for delays in processing tax refunds.

Some businesses and individuals have been waiting to receive their tax refunds and have experienced delays of more than four months. Recently, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) warned that taxpayers' trust in HMRC is 'falling'.

The PAC warned that HMRC must 'ensure its systems meet customers' needs' while preparing to seize the opportunities associated with Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The Committee urged HMRC to 'lay out realistic plans to simplify the tax system and address taxpayers' concerns as its costs rise and trust in it falls'.

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, Chair of the PAC, said: 'HMRC needs to do much more to restore trust and confidence in its taxpaying consumers. The cost of its systems rising, trust from taxpayers declining and a system of ever-growing complexity – the challenges on day one for the new incoming chief executive of HMRC are clear.

'It is time for HMRC to prioritise modernising its own systems so that it is fit to enter the second quarter of the 21st century.'