Reclaiming overpaid tax in Hungary?

[Madangan]

Hi,
Just wondering if anyone has had any experience reclaiming an overpayment of tax from the Hungarian taxman? Last year my managing agents paid a little too much tax on my behalf(after deductible expenses were taken into account).Not a large sum but I understood that a refund would issue very quickly etc... A few days ago I get an email from the agentssaying I had to sign a form and fax it back straight away as there was a deadline to make an application for a refund. The deadline was 4 days after the email was sent and as I was away I read the email 5 days later and missed the deadline and may not get my refund at all.

The agents and the accountant knew I was entitled to the refund for seven months so I was a bit peeved at such little notice.(especially as I had other reasons for believing that the refund had already been paid). The agents then told me that getting refunds for non residents is all quite new and the authorities couldnt make up their mind what they wanted and so its the nasty taxmans fault.i.e the taxman only told them what form they wanted signed by me 4 days in advance.
Id love to hear if anyone else has had this experience or are my agents making up porkies?Its a very small sum but they have overpaid again this year so I will need a refund for this year also so would like to get to the bottom of this.

Thanks in advance.

 

[budapest]

Why has your management company/accountant overpaid both last year and this year? Did you purchase with a Hungarian company rather than as a private individual?

 

[Madangan]

As as individual.

Last year it was only a hundred euro. But this year more. They seemed to be deducting a set percentage of the rent (before any deductible expenses )and sending that to the tax authorities every quarter. The percentage is about 25% .When my tax return was submitted it had all correct details on it includingthe deductible expenses the gross tax the tax rate of 18% the amount actually paid and the amount due or due back as a refund. The correct tax due last year was nil. it all seemed fine and in fact I was quite impressed with the way the agent and bookkeeper were working out.and that they had sent me an english translation of the tax return.

At no point did my agents or the bookkeeper give any indication of the difficuty with getting the refund until the email which they sent me on 7th December requiring me to sign a form and get it back to the agent so they could submit the application for a refund by the deadline of the 13th december. As i Had been away I didnt get the email until the 13th when it was too late.

When I blew a gasket in an email the agents told me it was the authorities fault which I find to be a little too convenient. I dont know whether a) they are covering up their own incompetence or b)pulling a fast one or c) telling the truth. One way or the other I am extremely annoyed!It may only be a €100 but if history is repeated it will be more when looking for a refund for the current year.
I would appreciate any insight you may have,

AND HAPPY CHRISTMAS ALL!