Officials revealed that taxpayers can now opt to get their money back direct from HMRC via their digital Personal Tax Account.

This will be without the need for a cheque or trip to the bank, HMRC confirmed today.

Faster, easier tax repayments are at the heart of the Personal Tax Account, officials said, with the service being accessible on any device - PC, tablet or smartphone.

The online tax refund service is available to customers who use their Personal Tax Account. Tax that they have overpaid will be returned directly to their bank account within 3-5 days, HMRC stated.

Ruth Owen, director general of customer service, HMRC said: “This new service puts customers in control of their tax affairs allowing them to claim any money owing to them immediately. They can claim at a time that suits them, from a device of their choice, securely, and without needing to wait for a cheque in the post.

“Now customers will have access to funds cleared in their account within 3-5 days rather than the two weeks it would typically take for a cheque to be issued, banked and cleared.”

The online refund is one in a range of services customers can access through their account.

HMRC said this included over 34 “quick and easy services” which would have previously meant a letter or phone call.

With the Personal Tax Account, HMRC said that customers can:

• view and update personal details
• see how their tax is calculated
• see the progress of forms they’ve sent
• check the expected level of their state pension
• find out about Marriage Allowance entitlement, and make a claim online
• see tax credits payments and report changes in circumstances
• Webchat is available to support customers who need help while accessing their online tax account.