Martin Lewis’ MoneySavingExpert has warned how roughly 300,000 people risk seeing their benefits stopped if they don’t check their Tax Credits claim.
HMRC has issued renewal packs for everyone claiming Tax Credits and if you need to respond to this, you only have until July 31.
This applies to online and by post responses. The deadline for renewing your claim over the phone is 6pm on July 29.
Your renewal pack should tell you if you need to refresh your Tax Credits claim - not everyone needs to respond to it.
If your renewal pack has a red line across the first page and says "reply now" then you will need to renew your tax credits.
But if it has a black line and says "check now" you just need to check your details are correct.
Have you had trouble renewing your Tax Credits? Let us know: mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk
If there is a change in a customer’s circumstances that could affect their Tax Credits claim, then you must report this to HMRC.
“For some, just failing to return the renewal pack can see tax credits stop,” the MSE team warned in their latest newsletter.
“Always check the pack, as if details are wrong or have changed you could face the nightmare of being forced to repay cash already spent.
“And don't wait for the deadline, as previously the nearer you get to it, the bigger the delay is.”
HMRC estimates around 323,000 claimants still need to renew their Tax Credits.
There are two types of Tax Credits that you could be entitled to - Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit.
These are being replaced by Universal Credit with a deadline of having everyone moved over by 2024.
What changes do I need to tell HMRC about?
If there is a change in your circumstances, then you must report this to HMRC.
Circumstances that could affect Tax Credits payments include changes to:
Living arrangements
Childcare
Working hours
Income
You can renew your tax credits three ways: online, by post or over the phone.
To do it online you need to log in to your tax credits account and follow the instruction.
You can renew over the phone by calling HMRC on 0345 300 3900.
By post, you need to sill in the forms in your renewal pack, and send it to: Tax Credit Office, HM Revenue and Customs, BX9 1LR.
If you haven't received a renewal pack yet, you can contact HMRC.
