323,700 people are yet to renew their tax credits ahead of the deadline, with HM Revenue and Customs reminding them to do so by 31st July – or their payments will stop.
Tax credits help working families with targeted financial support – so people are urged to renew before the deadline to ensure they don’t miss out on money that they’re entitled to.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:
“There’s just one month to go for our tax credits customers to renew. It’s easy to do online or on the HMRC app – search ‘tax credits’ on GOV.UK.”
Renewing online is quick and relatively easy. Customers can log into GOV.UK to check on the progress of their renewal, be reassured it’s being processed and know when they’ll hear back from HMRC.
Those who choose to use the HMRC app on their smartphone can:
- Renew their tax credits
- Make changes to their claim
- Check their tax credits payments schedule, and
- 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)
The UK Government has recently announced a Cost of Living Payment of £650, payable in 2 separate lump sums of £326 and £324, for households receiving certain benefits or tax credits, to help with the cost of living.
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.
“Renewing online is quick and relatively easy”?? Ha ha! Have you tried it? It’s a sodding nightmare with umpteen little traps and side alleys. They have made a relatively simple process into a labyrinth to trip up those of us who aren’t computer wizards.
Perhaps you could work full time and not claim then