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VAT repayments
Usually, if you’ve charged your customers less VAT than you’ve paid on your purchases, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) repay you the difference.
When you complete the boxes on your VAT Return, the information you enter will show you the:
- total amount of VAT charged - Box 3
- total amount of VAT paid - Box 4
You’re due a repayment if the figure in Box 3 is less than the figure in Box 4.
How much you’re repaid is the figure shown in Box 5 of your VAT Return.
How long it takes
Repayments are usually made within 10 working days of HMRC getting your VAT Return. They go direct to your bank account.
You should let HMRC know if you haven’t heard anything after 21 days.
You may get compensation (known as a ‘repayment supplement’) if your VAT repayment takes longer than 30 days to reach your bank account.
The 30 days starts from the day HMRC receives your VAT Return - but HMRC will not count any days taken to check your return is accurate and legitimate, and to correct any errors or omissions.
The repayment supplement is £50 or 5% of your repayment - whichever is the higher amount.
If your return is received before the end of the accounting period it’s for, the 30 days will start at the end of the period.
You won’t get repayment supplement if, eg:
- your VAT returns have been late
- you made errors on your return that reduce your claim by more than 5% or £250 (whichever is higher)
- you have earlier returns missing at the time your current return is received by HMRC