The case relates to tax charged on a flexibly accessed pension payment, where an individual has withdrawn part, but not all, of a pension pot. According to HMRC guidance, eligible taxpayers can use form P55 to reclaim overpaid Income Tax when they do not expect to take further regular or flexible payments before the end of the tax year and their pension provider cannot issue the refund.
HMRC Says Claims Received in May Are Still Being Processed
The taxpayer contacted HMRC on social media on 7 August after being told that a decision had been made on the value of their repayment three weeks earlier. They said they had then been informed that the “final stage” could take another eight weeks, covering approval and payment processing. After asking when the claim had been submitted and whether it had been filed online or by post, HMRC was told that the P55 request had been made online on 29 June.
The department said it could provide only general guidance about processing times through social media. According to HMRC’s response reported by the Mirror, the department was at that point “processing claims received on 22 May 2026” and said the taxpayer could “expect a reply by 27 September 2026”.
HMRC directed the customer to its online service for checking when a response can be expected. The government guidance says the information in that tool is updated weekly and covers a range of subjects, including Income Tax, Child Benefit, Corporation Tax, employers’ PAYE, Inheritance Tax, National Insurance, Self Assessment, tax credits and VAT.
The timetable refers to when taxpayers can expect a reply to a query or request. HMRC’s P55 guidance separately states that any repayment due is calculated by the department and paid through Faster Payments into a bank account held in the claimant’s name or that of their nominee.
Who Can Use the P55 Refund Process
Form P55 is intended for people who have flexibly accessed part of a pension pot without emptying it. According to the government’s P55 guidance, a refund can be claimed when the taxpayer will not take regular or flexible pension payments before the end of the current tax year and the pension provider is unable to make the refund itself.
Different forms apply in other circumstances. People who have flexibly accessed their entire pension are directed to form P53Z, while those who have emptied their pension and stopped working are directed to form P50Z.
Claimants must provide information about the income they expect to receive during the relevant tax year, which runs from 6 April to 5 April. This can include employment income, UK pension income, pension flexibility lump sums, savings and investment income, taxable state benefits, dividends, property income and other sources.
HMRC says estimated figures can be used where final amounts are unavailable. It will carry out checks at the end of the tax year and contact the taxpayer if the figures differ. Claims can be made online after signing in, while taxpayers unable to use the online service can complete the form for printing and post it to HMRC. The department also provides a paper P55 form for people who do not wish to begin the claim online.
