Paid Corp tax used wrong reference

[Fishface]

Happened to me...

I paid 4 amounts to HMRC on consecutive days with the same ref number.

I used last years ref number - which was an error on my part as it looked the same except for an 'A' at the end.

HMRC took 2 payments and rejected the other 2 and sent me a letter and 2 checks for the 2 rejected amounts and told me they had done this in the letter using the same reference number.

How they accepted payments 1 and 2 and not 3 and 4 with the same reference number AND told me thats what they had done, I will never know - the mind boggles.

[Greg@CapitalCity]

We have found the HMRC send out overpayment cheques far too quickly if they receive a payment that they don't know what to do with. So you could easily get a cheque in the post in the coming weeks. I would suggest you save the potential hassle, and keep trying to get through to them. First thing in the morning is often the best time to contact the HMRC, after they are energised from the first cup of tea for the day.

[Gonzo]

The payment will sit in the 'suspense' account until a) You spend all day on the phone to them sorting it out or b) They themselves sort it by matching the ref you used to the charge reference (the 17 or so digit reference) OR c) The system sorts it out itself (v.clever, don't like to show off and all that .... )

Whichever way it goes, the payment date is held against the payment (date of receipt) and that's the date you payment was made. It can take a day or two for the payment to get from the receipting system to the charge-holding system.

It's always good to see it when someone on here can explain how the systems work. Presumably you were involved.

Happened to me...

I paid 4 amounts to HMRC on consecutive days with the same ref number.

I used last years ref number - which was an error on my part as it looked the same except for an 'A' at the end.

HMRC took 2 payments and rejected the other 2 and sent me a letter and 2 checks for the 2 rejected amounts and told me they had done this in the letter using the same reference number.

How they accepted payments 1 and 2 and not 3 and 4 with the same reference number AND told me thats what they had done, I will never know - the mind boggles.

We have found the HMRC send out overpayment cheques far too quickly if they receive a payment that they don't know what to do with. So you could easily get a cheque in the post in the coming weeks. I would suggest you save the potential hassle, and keep trying to get through to them. First thing in the morning is often the best time to contact the HMRC, after they are energised from the first cup of tea for the day.

Maybe it wasn't such a good job after-all.