The burning question from every game studio submitting a claim:

When will we get our cash?

VGTR is a vital tool to support your studio’s runway so timing absolutely matters.

Before we dive in, two quick reminders (both covered in earlier posts):

1️⃣ You can claim more than once a year (please see this earlier article: https://www.urbanledgers.co.uk/how-can-i-claim-vgtr-more-than-once-a-year)

2️⃣ Your claim isn’t always paid in cash (please see this earlier article: https://www.urbanledgers.co.uk/are-vgtr-claims-always-paid-out-in-cash)

HMRC’s internal target is currently 40 working days to review (and ideally pay out) a VGTR claim.

If your claim includes all the right documents (including your BFI certificate and a clear, cumulative P&L), and no red flags are raised, the payment could land within 40 working days. The quickest we’ve ever seen? 5 working days.  Incredible but, sadly, highly unusual. Most are around 35-45 working days currently.

But…

If something is missing or unclear, your claim will be rejected and the clock resets.
And if HMRC decides to take a closer look?

🔎 The claim will be passed to a Case Worker.
🕒 It may take 3+ months for initial queries to come through.
📬 Those queries will usually be issued by physical letter (yes, really).

You’re more likely to see a quicker payout if:

✅ You’ve submitted under the same certificate before
✅ You’ve had a previous HMRC enquiry that was successfully closed
✅ Your studio has a straightforward corporate structure 

Our advice?

For your first claim in particular, avoid baking in to your forecast the VGTR monies on the basis that they’ll be received within 40 working days. If HMRC opens an enquiry, your claim could be delayed by 3-6 months +.



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