All tax credit customers must renew their claims by 31 July or see their payments potentially stop. HMRC is already sending out renewal packs to all Tax Credit recipients along with the advice to renew as soon as the pack is received.

When will I get my Tax Credits pack?

Around 5.8 million people will be posted the renewal packs between now and the end of June. By encouraging customers to renew as soon as they receive the packs, HMRC is hoping that fewer claimants will miss the deadline than the ten per cent who renewed late last year.

What else do I have to do?

Tax Credit claimants are also being reminded by HMRC to check the accuracy of the information in the pack and to tell HMRC about any changes to their circumstances that they haven’t already reported. Such changes could include alterations to working hours, childcare costs or pay. Customers must also provide details of the previous year’s income if such details are requested.

This year the amount a claimant’s income can change before HMRC must be told for Tax Credit purposes was reduced to £5,000.

Those renewing a Tax Credits claim are advised to have the correct documents to hand when filling out the form, for example payslips, end of year P60 forms and childcare payment details.

Help and information on Tax Credit renewals is available from the tax credit website: https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/tax-credits or via the helpline: 0345 300 3900