HMRC under fire for taking more than four months to process tax refunds

Reported delays come as tax office says it is shutting free-to-use online filing service used by some small businesses

HM Revenue and Customs has come under fire for taking more than four months to process tax refunds owed to some individuals and businesses that accountants say used to take a maximum of a few weeks.

The reported delays coincide with anger over a separate HMRC announcement that it is shutting a free-to-use online filing service used by some small businesses.