Tax credits deadline: customers at risk of losing out

Tax credits customers have just one week left to tell HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) about changes to their circumstances or income before the deadline on July 31, 2020.

Customers whose circumstances have changed in the last year or who have received a letter to reconfirm their income details must contact HMRC.

Failure to respond by the deadline may mean tax credits customers receive incorrect tax credits payments and may end up having to repay any overpayments.

HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, Angela MacDonald, said: “Tax credits provide much needed financial support to our customers.

"But we know that many customers leave it to the last minute to renew their tax credits award.

“The time to renew your tax credits is now, you don’t need to wait until deadline day on July 31.”

Customers who received an annual review pack or text and have already made their declaration including confirming their income and circumstances, don’t need to do anything else.

However, customers need to contact HMRC straight away if they disagree with any of the information in the pack or letter, need to tell staff about any changes, or are self-employed and the income HMRC hold for 2019/20 is an estimate because they have not yet filed their tax return (they will then have until January 31, 2021 to tell HMRC their actual income).

Renewing tax credits online is quick and easy.

Customers can log onto GOV.UK to check the progress of their renewal, be reassured that it is being processed, and know when they will hear back from HMRC.

Customers can use the HMRC App on their smartphone to:

renew their tax credits;

check their tax credits payments schedule; and

find out how much they have earned for the year.

Customers can get help and information on renewing tax credits:

On GOV.UK at https://www.gov.uk/manage-your-tax-credits

Using the webchat service, by going to GOV.UK and searching for ‘tax credits general enquiries’

By tweeting @HMRCcustomers or posting on the Facebook page with general queries

By using the HMRC App, available via your phone’s app store

Using the online forum (click on Tax Credits and You)

By calling the tax credits helpline: 0345 300 3900

Customers should be aware that criminals could take advantage of tax credits renewals to text, email or phone the public, offering fake support.

These scams mimic HMRC messages in an effort to look genuine.

If someone texts, emails or calls claiming to be from HMRC, saying that a customer can renew a tax credits award or access financial help, and asks for credit card or bank details, it is likely to be a scam.

People should check GOV.UK for information on how to recognise genuine HMRC contact.

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