Unlike other benefits, tax credits usually have to be renewed each year by 31 July to continue receiving payments from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
If you are claiming tax credits, it is really important to look carefully at the information you receive.
Even if you have stopped getting tax credits, you still need to check that all your details are correct and respond if required to do so.
Each year you will be sent a renewal pack that tells you how to renew. If it has a red line across the first page and says ‘reply now’ you will need to renew.
If it has a black line and says ‘check now’, you will need to check your details are correct and if they are, you do not need to do anything and your tax credits will be automatically renewed.
If you miss the deadline your tax credits payments will stop. You will be sent a statement and will have to pay back the credits you have received since 6 April 2021.
From 6 April, you will get estimated (‘provisional’) payments from HMRC until you renew. Your payments may have changed based on information from your employer or pension provider.
If you miss the deadline for renewing, you will be sent a statement (TC607). If you contact HMRC within 30 days of the date on the statement your tax credit claim may be restored, and you will not have to pay anything back.
However, if you contact HMRC later than 30 days of the date on the statement, they will ask you to explain the reasons for the delay – known as ‘good cause’ – before they consider restoring your claim.
If HMRC stops your payments, you cannot make a new claim for tax credits.
How to renew
You can renew tax credits online or renew tax credits by phone or post.
You will need:
- Your renewal pack – if you have not had a renewal pack yet contact HMRC
- Details about any changes to your circumstances
- You and your partner’s total income for the last tax year (6 April 2020 to 5 April 2021).
Link: How to renew tax credits
