Working families on tax credits are being asked to check their
details so they do not miss out on this vital government support.
About 2.1 million tax credits customers will begin to receive
their annual renewal packs this week from HM Revenue and Customs
(HMRC).
The packs will be sent between 25 April and 27 May, and customers
have until 31 July to check their details are correct and update
HMRC if there has
been a change in their circumstances.
Tax credits help working families with targeted financial
support, so it is important that people do not miss out on money
they are entitled to.
There are 2 types of renewal packs:
- if it has a red line across the first page and says ‘reply
now’, customers will need to confirm their circumstances to renew
their tax credits
- if it has a black line across the first page and says ‘check
now’, customers will need to check their details are correct. If
correct, customers do not need to do anything and their tax
credits will be automatically renewed
About 630,000 customers will need to confirm their circumstances
to renew their tax credits for the 2022 to 2023 tax year.
Customers can renew their tax credits for
free via GOV.UK or the HMRC app.
Renewing online is quick and easy. Customers can log into GOV.UK
to check the progress of their renewal, be reassured it is being
processed and know when they will hear back from HMRC. Customers choosing to use
the HMRCapp on their
smartphone can:
- renew their tax credits
- update changes to their claim
- check their tax credits payments schedule
- find out how much they have earned for the year
If there is a change in a customer’s circumstances that could
affect their tax credits claims, they must report the changes to
HMRC.
Circumstances that could affect tax credits payments include
changes to:
- living arrangements
- childcare
- working hours
- income (increase or decrease)
Tax credits are ending and will be replaced by Universal Credit
by the end of 2024. Many customers who move from tax credits to
Universal Credit could be financially better off and can use an
independent benefits
calculator to check. If customers choose to apply sooner, it
is important to get independent advice beforehand as they will
not be able to go back to tax credits or any other benefits that
Universal Credit replaces.
Further information
Find out more about renewing tax credits claims.
Customers can download the HMRC app for free from their
smartphone app store.
Find out more about Universal
Credit replacing tax credits.
