The deadline to renew a claim for tax credits is 31 July 2017. This time last year, HMRC announced that over 400,000 claimants had still not filed their renewals, and as a direct result, had their payments stopped or amended.
One week before this year’s deadline, HMRC says that over 900,000 claimants have failed to renew.
Readers who claim tax credits and wish to continue receiving these benefits should make sure they have attended to the renewals process before the end of July 2017. According to HMRC, the online process is now the preferred option, being easier to use and more accessible. It allows claimants to track the progress of their renewals application, receive an email confirmation when submitted, and removes the need to scan or type in a bar code number from the back of the renewals pack.
Changes in circumstances that need to be disclosed include:
- Changes in working hours, and
- Changes in income and childcare costs.
Applicants who have no access to a computer can call the Tax Credits Helpline, 0345 300 3900.
It is worth underlining that failure to renew before 31 July may result in a reduction in benefits, it may also mean that some or all the benefits you have received since the beginning of April 2017, will have to be repaid.
To avoid hardship, we recommend that you complete the online renewal process, or call the Help Line without delay.