How to check if HMRC has processed your tax return

Once you’ve submitted your tax return, it’s only natural to wonder what happens next. Has HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) processed it? How long will it take? And when will your tax position be confirmed?

In this guide, we explain how to check the status of your tax return, how long HMRC typically takes to process it, and what you can expect at each stage. We cover Self Assessment tax returns, Company Tax returns, and VAT returns, so you know exactly where you stand.

Everything you need to know about how your Self Assessment return is processed

HMRC makes it easy for you to track the progress of your Self Assessment return with immediate submission receipts, status updates in your online account, and even a handy tool for checking current response times.

What happens after you submit your Self Assessment return online?

When you file your Self Assessment tax return online, you’ll get an on-screen submission receipt and a confirmation email from HMRC.

As soon as you hit ‘Submit’, you’ll see a message on your screen confirming that HMRC has received your return. This submission receipt will include the following information:

• The tax year of the return, for example, 2025-26.
• Your company name or, if you’re a sole trader, your own name.
• The time and date of submission.
• Your submission receipt reference number.

A few minutes later, HMRC will send you the same information in a confirmation email with the subject line ‘Successful Receipt of Online Submission for Reference [your Unique Taxpayer Reference]’. Check your junk email or spam folder if you can’t find it in your inbox.

• How to file your Self Assessment tax return
• How to prepare a Company Tax Return
• VAT registration – the pros and cons

How to check your Self Assessment return status

You can check the status of your Self Assessment tax return by signing in to your HMRC online account or the HMRC app.

Sign in using your Government Gateway user ID or GOV.UK One Login and then navigate to the Self Assessment section. Here, you’ll find your Self Assessment dashboard, where you can see:

• The status of your tax return, e.g. ‘Submitted’ or ‘Received’.
• The tax year you’re viewing, e.g. 2025-26.
• Your tax calculation (SA302) once it’s been generated.
• The amount of tax you owe or any repayment due.
• Your payment deadlines, e.g. 31 January or 31 July.
• A breakdown of payments on account, if applicable.
• Your payment history and any recent transactions.
• Secure messages or notices from HMRC.

How long does it take for HMRC to process your Self Assessment return?

In most cases, HMRC processes your return within a few days of you submitting it online. However, during busy periods – especially in January – it may take longer for your account balance and tax calculation to appear.

If your return status shows as ‘Submitted’ or ‘Received’, it simply means that HMRC has received it. Once you can see your tax calculation (SA302) and a clear balance showing what you owe or what you’re due back, your return has been processed.

If you’re unsure, check your secure messages or contact HMRC directly for confirmation.

What if I submitted a paper Self Assessment tax return?

It can take several weeks for HMRC to process a paper Self Assessment return. For example, at the time of writing this in February 2026, the estimated processing time for paper returns is around four weeks.

When will HMRC confirm your Income Tax position?

When you submit your Self Assessment return, HMRC starts processing it straight away. However, they may review and confirm your overall Income Tax position later.

HMRC checks your return against other records, such as income you’ve received through PAYE from an employer or pension provider. If everything matches, your tax position stays the same. If HMRC finds differences, they’ll update your final figures.

HMRC usually reconciles Income Tax a few months after the end of the tax year, typically between June and October. When they do this, they’ll update your online tax account.

HMRC will normally only send you a letter if you’ve paid too much or too little tax. The letter will explain whether you’re due a refund or need to pay extra tax, and what you need to do next.

How long does HMRC take to respond to amendments or refunds?

If you amend your Self Assessment return, claim a tax refund or appeal a penalty, you can use HMRC’s handy online tool to check when you can expect a reply.

The tool estimates when HMRC will review your request based on the date it was received. For example, if you contacted HMRC on 23 February 2026 to amend your Self Assessment tax return, the tool estimates your reply to arrive by 21 May 2026.

The tool is helpful because it shows which date HMRC is currently working up to, giving you a clearer idea of where your request sits in the queue. On 23 February 2026, for example, HMRC was processing requests received on 8 December 2025.

If you claimed a Self Assessment refund on 23 February 2026, HMRC’s tool estimates that you can expect a reply by 9 March 2026. However, it may take a further 12 weeks for HMRC to issue your repayment.

How is your Self Assessment return processed?

Use this mini guide for quick answers to your Self Assessment return status questions.

How HMRC processes Company Tax returns

When you file your Company Tax Return by completing form CT600 online, HMRC confirms receipt straight away and then processes your Corporation Tax calculation. In most cases, this appears in your business tax account within a few weeks.

However, HMRC may carry out checks or review your figures before everything is finalised. Here’s what happens after you submit your return and how you can track its progress.

How to confirm your Company Tax return has been received

When you submit form CT600 online, you’ll see an on-screen message confirming that HMRC has received and accepted your submission. HMRC will also send you a confirmation email a few minutes later.

Your Company Tax return submission receipt will include:

• Your company name
• The end date of your accounting period
• The time and date of submission
• Your document reference
• The IRmark linked to your return

It’s important to download and keep a copy of both the receipt and your filed CT600 as evidence of what you submitted.

What if you don’t receive a submission response?

If you don’t receive confirmation straight away, keep checking the submission status within the software you used to file the return. If you still haven’t received a response after 48 hours, contact HMRC’s online service helpdesk.

What happens if HMRC carries out a compliance check?

Your submission response only proves that HMRC has received your Company Tax return. It doesn’t mean they’ve agreed with your figures. If something doesn’t look right, HMRC can correct obvious errors or omissions using the information available to them.

At any point during or after processing your Company Tax return, HMRC may carry out a compliance check to:

1. Make sure you’re paying the right amount of Corporation Tax.
2. Confirm you’re claiming the correct allowances and reliefs.
3. Discourage tax evasion.
4. Ensure the tax system operates fairly.

Some compliance checks are random. Others may be triggered by:

• Entering figures on a tax return that appear to be incorrect.
• Claiming an unusually large tax refund.
• Declaring a small amount of Corporation Tax when turnover is high.

If HMRC opens a compliance check, they’ll contact you or your tax agent to explain what they’re reviewing. This may delay the processing of your tax return if the check is triggered shortly after filing. However, you’ll still need to pay your Corporation Tax bill by the deadline whilst any check is ongoing.

How to check the status of your Company Tax return

You can check your Corporation Tax position by signing in to your HMRC business tax account. Once logged in, you’ll usually be able to see:

• The accounting period you filed for.
• Your Corporation Tax calculation for that period.
• The amount of Corporation Tax due or any repayment owed.
• Your payment reference and payment history.

In many cases, HMRC processes online CT600 submissions within 4 to 6 weeks. However, processing times can vary depending on workload, complexity, or whether HMRC needs to carry out further checks.

If your Corporation Tax charge and balance appear in your account, it generally means HMRC has processed your return for that accounting period. Keep in mind that HMRC can still review or enquire into your return later if necessary.

How long does it take to receive a Corporation Tax refund?

If your Company Tax Return shows that you’ve overpaid Corporation Tax, HMRC will automatically issue a repayment once your return has been processed. There’s no guaranteed timescale. During peak periods, particularly between December and April, repayments can take several weeks.

If you’ve claimed a repayment due to a loss or carry back by post, you can use HMRC’s online tool to check when you can expect a reply. For example, the estimated response date for a claim made on 23 February 2026 is 9 April 2026 at the time of writing.

If you’re waiting longer than expected, you can contact HMRC’s Corporation Tax general enquiries helpline on 0300 200 3410, or +44 151 268 0571 if you’re calling from outside the UK.

Company Tax return processing at a glance

Use this mini guide for quick answers to your Company Tax return processing questions.

What to expect when you submit a VAT return

Most VAT-registered businesses must submit their VAT Returns digitally under Making Tax Digital (MTD) rules. Once you file, HMRC confirms receipt straight away and then reviews and processes the return.

Filing your VAT return in compliance with Making Tax Digital

To comply with MTD for VAT, you must submit your VAT return electronically in one of these ways:

1. Using MTD-compatible accounting software.
2. By appointing a tax agent or accountant.
3. Through your VAT online account if you use the VAT Annual Accounting Scheme.

When your VAT Return is successfully submitted, you’ll see an on-screen acknowledgement confirming that HMRC has received it. Save or download this confirmation as proof of filing. Depending on how you file, you may also receive an email confirmation.

How long does HMRC take to process VAT Returns?

HMRC generally aims to process VAT Returns within 30 days. However, this isn’t guaranteed. Processing may take longer if:

• It’s your first VAT Return.
• You’ve submitted a large repayment claim.
• HMRC needs to carry out additional checks.

HMRC routinely reviews VAT returns upon submission – and they always check the very first return filed by a business. If they need more information, they’ll contact you before finalising the return.

Where to view your submitted VAT Returns

You can check your submitted VAT Returns by signing in to your VAT online account and selecting ‘View past returns’. In your account, you’ll usually be able to see:

• The VAT period covered.
• The figures you submitted.
• The amount of VAT due or repayable.
• Your payment history.
• Any outstanding balance.

It can take a few days for a newly filed return to appear in your account, so don’t worry if it’s not visible immediately.

How to check for VAT repayments

If your VAT Return shows that HMRC owes you money, they’ll usually issue a repayment within 30 days of receiving your return. You can monitor the status of your repayment through your VAT online account.

In some cases, HMRC may contact you by letter or email to request further information before releasing the repayment. This is relatively common for larger or first-time claims.

If it’s been more than 30 days and you haven’t received your repayment or heard from HMRC, you can call the VAT helpline on 0300 200 3700, or +44 2920 501 261 if you’re calling from outside the UK.

Your VAT return at a glance

Use this mini guide for quick answers to your VAT return questions.

Explore more guidance on tax and compliance

Tracking the progress of your tax return doesn’t need to be complicated. Whether you’re filing a Self Assessment return, a Company Tax Return or a VAT Return, HMRC provides clear confirmation when your submission is received and updates your online account once your figures have been processed. Knowing where to check and what each status means can save you time and unnecessary worry.

Where possible, it’s always worth submitting your tax returns online. Digital submissions are acknowledged immediately and generally processed faster than paper returns, which can take several weeks and don’t include automatic confirmation.

If you need assistance with starting and managing a limited company, visit the Rapid Formations homepage or check out our blog for more practical guidance on tax and compliance.