The tax office is known for its swift demands and threats of fines when money is owed, but when it comes to issuing refunds, the pace is often painfully slow.
When my mother died, there was a four-year delay in achieving probate owing to financial complexities. During this time my father paid inheritance tax (IHT) on the advice of his solicitor, to prevent interest accruing.
It turned out that the solicitor's estimate of the amount was wildly out.
This mismatch led to a substantial overpayment, yet HMRC took more than a year to return the £150,000 rebate, leaving the family in financial limbo.