Where to check your WFTC refund status

The Working Family Tax Credit (WFTC) refund is handled by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) in the UK. To find out where your money is, you need to log into your HMRC online account or call their helpline directly — there is no other official tracking system.

If you have an HMRC online account, sign in and go to your tax return or tax account page. You will see any refunds listed there with their status: whether HMRC is still processing it, has approved it, or has sent it. The page also shows the date the refund was issued and the method it was sent by.

If you do not have an online account, call the HMRC helpline at 0300 200 3300. Have your National Insurance number ready. They can tell you the exact status of your refund and when you should expect it, though wait times can be long during peak tax season.

Key Takeaways

  • HMRC processes WFTC refunds and you can check the status through your online account or by calling 0300 200 3300.
  • Refunds typically take 4 to 6 weeks to arrive after HMRC approves them, though this varies depending on your bank.
  • HMRC sends refunds by bank transfer to the account you provided on your tax return, or by cheque if no account was on file.
  • If your refund is delayed beyond 6 weeks after approval, contact HMRC to find out whether it was sent and trace it with your bank.

How long WFTC refunds take to arrive

After HMRC approves your refund, the money usually reaches your bank account within 4 to 6 working days. If you requested a cheque instead, allow 7 to 10 working days for it to arrive in the post, plus time for you to pay it in at your bank.

The approval itself can take longer. If you submitted your tax return online, HMRC typically processes it within 2 to 4 weeks during normal periods. During January and February, when millions of people file returns, processing can stretch to 8 weeks or more. If you sent a paper return, add another 2 to 3 weeks to that timeline.

Your online account will show you when HMRC has approved the refund and when it was sent. Once it shows as sent, the clock starts on those 4 to 6 working days. If your bank account details were wrong or your bank rejects the transfer for any reason, HMRC will send a cheque instead — this adds another week or two.

What to do if your refund has not arrived

First, check your online account to confirm HMRC has actually sent the refund. If it still shows as "processing" or "pending", it has not been released yet — contact HMRC to ask why. If it shows as sent but you have not received it after 6 working days, the money may be stuck with your bank.

Contact your bank and give them the date HMRC says it was sent. Ask them to trace the transfer using the reference number from your HMRC account. Banks can usually locate a transfer within 24 hours. If your bank finds it, they will tell you why it was rejected or delayed. If they cannot find it, ask HMRC to resend it as a cheque.

If HMRC shows the refund as sent more than 6 weeks ago and your bank cannot trace it, call HMRC again and ask them to investigate. Bring the reference number and the date shown in your account. HMRC can request a trace from the banking system, though this takes another 2 to 3 weeks.

Bank transfer versus cheque payment

HMRC sends refunds by bank transfer if you provided a UK bank account on your tax return. This is the fastest method — 4 to 6 working days once approved. The money goes directly into the account you named, and you do not have to do anything else.

If you did not provide a bank account, or if the transfer fails, HMRC sends a cheque. Cheques arrive by post in 7 to 10 working days, then you have to pay it in at your bank, which takes another 2 to 3 working days. This method is slower but works if your bank details are not on file or if your bank rejected the transfer.

You cannot usually choose which method HMRC uses — it depends on what information you gave them. If you want to speed up a future refund, make sure your current bank account details are on your tax return before you submit it.

Reasons your WFTC refund might be delayed

HMRC may hold your refund if they need to check something on your return. This happens if your income changed significantly, if you claimed a large amount, or if your return does not match information they have from your employer or other sources. They will contact you by post or through your online account if this is happening.

Your refund can also be delayed if you owe money to HMRC from a previous year, or if you owe child support or other debts that HMRC can offset. In these cases, HMRC will use your refund to pay what you owe before sending you the remainder. They will tell you this is happening when you contact them.

Bank delays are another common reason. If your bank is slow to process incoming transfers, or if there is a problem with your account (such as it being frozen or closed), the money may not arrive on time. Your bank can tell you if this is the issue.

How to contact HMRC about your refund

Call the HMRC Self Assessment helpline at 0300 200 3300. This is the main number for tax return and refund questions. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Calls cost the same as calls to other 03 numbers on most phone plans.

Have your National Insurance number, your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), and the date of your tax return ready. If you have your online account open, have the reference number from your refund status page as well. This speeds up the call and helps HMRC find your record quickly.

If you prefer not to call, you can send a message through your online account. Go to your tax account, select "Messages", and write to HMRC. They usually reply within 5 to 7 working days, though this can be slower during peak season. For urgent issues, calling is faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my WFTC refund faster than 4 to 6 weeks?

No. Once HMRC approves and sends your refund, the bank transfer takes 4 to 6 working days as standard. There is no expedited option. The only way to speed things up is to make sure your tax return is correct and complete when you submit it, so HMRC does not need to investigate it.

What if I moved house and did not update my address with HMRC?

If HMRC sent a cheque to your old address, contact them immediately with your new address. They can issue a replacement cheque or arrange a bank transfer instead. If the cheque was already posted, you can ask the person at your old address to forward it, or contact Royal Mail to redirect it.

Can HMRC send my refund to a different bank account?

Yes, but you have to request it. Call HMRC or message them through your online account with the new account details. They will update your record and send the refund to the new account. This adds a few days to the process, so do it as soon as you know your account has changed.

What if HMRC says I do not have a refund coming?

This usually means you either overpaid less than you thought, or HMRC has offset your refund against a debt you owe. Ask HMRC to explain the calculation. If you disagree, you can ask them to review it, though this takes several weeks. If you think there is an error on your tax return, you can amend it within 12 months of the filing deadline.

Do I have to do anything to receive my WFTC refund?

No. Once HMRC approves it, the refund is sent automatically. You do not need to confirm anything or take any action. If it is being sent by bank transfer, it will arrive in your account. If it is a cheque, it will arrive in the post. Just wait and monitor your account.