unbelievable!

I think it is a scam ! I have seen about something like this before. The HMRC do send you a letter and then just post you a cheque separately.

You could look at a previous notification from them to see which office is your tax office and ring them and ask about it to check.

www.gov.uk/tax-overpayments-and-underpayments/if-youre-due-a-refund

Read this genuine link - it says you can ring them up and they'll send you a cheque within 14 days. It would take a while to register online as you would have to be sent an ID by post anyway

I think you can go onto the Gateway site and check your tax status.You have to register first. it's a bit of a fact! Maybe an idea to check. Please don't use the link you received, just in case.

I got the taxman letter about registering on line for my tax rebate. I was expecting the rebate and knew exactly how much it would be.
Registraton was simple and my tax refund was in my bank account within two days.

I had tax problem and was able to register on Govt Gateway online without needing an ID by post. I was then able to check how much I owed.☹️

I found an email in my junk mail box that claimed to be from HMRC. It said I was due a refund and to click on the box. I don't see how I can be due a refund and feel sure HMRC would send me a letter. In fact, I can't recall ever giving HMRC my email address. I deleted it.

Same as coolgran, easy to register and not a scam. Maybe check it out via accessing the Gov.uk site direct? Be a shame to wait when you don't need to.

I don't think HMRC ever emails anyone about such things. They use letters.

Thanks for advice but I don't see why there would be a sixty day wait. Isn't this just a case of forcing us to use the Net? I don't like to do anything financial on line.

In all my life I have never been given a refund from the taxman, usually they just adjust your code surely. Be wary, I have had three phone calls and an email today, all scams.

The link I posted said that if you rang them they would send the cheque within 14 days - the 60 days is if you do nothing

If you do your tax online, HMRC do email you but only to say that there is a message for you and you have to log in to read it.

I thought your code was only adjusted to collect unpaid tax from you.

Over the years I have had several tax refunds, all were paid via a cheque. If tax is owed the tax payer can choose whether to pay in a lump sum or via a change to tax code. There's a box on the tax return to indicate preference.

Unbelievable is right. This has all the hallmarks of a scam.
Have a look at
www.lovemoney.com/guides/15794/hmrc-tax-refund-rebate-scams-frauds-email-is-this-real-fake-uk

I was another sceptic when I received such a letter, but it turned out to be genuine. Also I have received a couple of fairly decent tax refunds in the past.

My DS had a similar letter last year and despite my misgivings it was genuine. The emails are always fake. I had a tax rebate last year, as did DH, but they just arrived as cheques with covering letters - no prior notice.

Morgana it's very quick and easy to register on the government gateway site online.

Posted too soon!

If you don't want to register online you can request a cheque which you'll receive in 14 days.

It would probably be easier to register on line than to phone. In my experience you have to hang on for around an hour to get through to speak to someone. It took me a long time after I retired to get them to stop taking too much tax, they definitely didn't send my refund until I kept chasing.

I claimed mine online using my gateway number and my refund was in the bank within days.

I had a letter a month or so ago. it's not a scam. HMRC don't email you, but they will send a letter.
It's a bit of a phaff to do it online, but it does work. I did it and got money in my account within 5 days
I got £30 back.

The emails are usually scammers so don't click any links within them - contact HMRC by phone to check if it's genuine.

Perhaps HMRC could clarify their procedures regarding rebates on this site?