HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging people to renew their tax credits claim online and early before the 31 July deadline.
When claimants renew their claim, they must tell HMRC about any changes to their circumstances that they haven’t already reported, including changes to working hours, childcare costs or income. Once people receive their renewal pack, these changes can be reported through the GOV.UK website.
The online service proved very popular in 2015, with more than 750,000 people renewing online and around 90% of people using it saying they were happy with the service. It only takes around six minutes to renew online, depending on circumstances.
There is also a special team to support the most vulnerable customers who cannot go online. People who we know need special support will be proactively contacted by our customer support teams.
Nick Lodge, HMRC’s Director General, Benefits and Credits, said:
“Our online service means that you can renew at any time of the day or night, and on any device, without having to call us. Online help can also answer most queries you may have and a web chat facility will be available to support people renewing online. We urge everyone who can to go online.
“Our customers should check their details and renew early to ensure they get the right money. The sooner people renew their claim, the sooner we can check payments are correct, meaning we avoid paying too little money, or too much, which claimants then have to pay back.”
Online help and information on renewing tax credits is available on GOV.UK and via HMRC’s customer service Twitter feed @HMRCcustomers. Support is also available through the tax credits helpline.
HMRC has begun sending tax credits renewal packs to approximately 5.9 million households around the country. The packs are sent out from April to June.
The deadline for people to renew their tax credits is 31 July 2016. Failure to renew before the deadline will mean payments are stopped and they may have to repay the money they have received since April.