Category: Tax credits

We would like to remind our readers that HMRC is currently sending the annual tax credit renewal packs to 730,000 tax credit claimants. HMRC is encouraging recipients to renew their tax credits claim online. HMRC started writing to taxpayers on 2 May 2024 and expects all packs to be with recipients by the 19 June 2024. 

Renewal packs with a black stripe across the front page are automatically renewed. However, taxpayers must inform HMRC of any changes in circumstances not already reported during the year such as new working hours, different childcare costs or changes in pay.

A renewal is required if the pack has a red stripe across the first page and it says, 'reply now'. Families and individuals that receive tax credits should ensure that they renew their tax credit claims by 31 July 2024. Claimants who do not renew on-time may have their payments stopped. Around 10,000 taxpayers are expected to receive the packs with a red stripe and can renew their tax credits via GOV.UK or on HMRC’s app.

Universal Credit is expected to fully replace tax credits, and other legacy benefits (including Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance, Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance) by 5 April 2025. This means that claimants who receive tax credits will receive a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or the Department for Communities if they live in Northern Ireland telling them about the move to Universal Credit. This letter is called a Migration Notice and taxpayers are urged not to ignore it.

HMRC is currently sending the annual tax credit renewal packs to the 730,000 tax credit claimants and is encouraging recipients to renew their tax credits claim online. HMRC started writing to taxpayers on 2 May and expects all packs to be with recipients by the 19 June 2024. 

Renewal packs with a black stripe across the front page are automatically renewed. However, taxpayers must inform HMRC of any changes in circumstances that are not reported during the year, such as new working hours, different childcare costs or changes in pay.

A renewal is required if the pack has a red stripe across the first page and it says, 'reply now'. Families and individuals that receive tax credits should ensure that they renew their tax credit claims by 31 July 2024. Claimants who do not renew on-time may have their payments stopped. Around 10,000 taxpayers are expected to receive the packs with a red stripe and can renew their tax credits via GOV.UK or by using HMRC’s app.

Universal Credit is expected to fully replace tax credits and other legacy benefits (including Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance, Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance) by 5 April 2025. This means that claimants who receive tax credits will receive a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or the Department for Communities if they live in Northern Ireland telling them about the move to Universal Credit. This letter is called a Migration Notice and taxpayers are urged not to ignore it.

The Cost of Living support package has been designed to help over 8 million households in receipt of mean tested benefits. The details for Cost of Living Payments due in the 2023-24 tax year were published earlier this year and have recently been updated.

Eligible recipients will receive up to three Cost of Living Payments of £301, £300 and £299 during the course of the current tax-year. This includes those receiving pension credit, and these payments will be made separately from other benefit payments. The first payment of £301 was made between April-May 2023.

HMRC has confirmed that around 840,000 families, who receive tax credits and no other qualifying benefits, will receive their £300 autumn Cost of Living second Payment between 10 and 19 November 2023. These payments are made automatically. Any individuals who expected a payment but did not receive one are asked to wait until after 20 November to contact HMRC. This is to allow time for their bank, building society or credit union to process the payment. 

In addition, more than 7 million eligible UK households are receiving £300 directly from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) between 31 October and 19 November 2023.

Pensioner households will also receive £300 which will be paid as a top up to those eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment in November and December. Combined with the one-off Cost of Living Disability Payment earlier this year, relevant households will receive £1,350 in total.

The third Cost of Living Payment of £299 is due to be paid in spring 2024.

The 31 July 2023 is the final day for families and individuals that receive tax credits to tell HMRC about any changes in their circumstances or income and to renew their tax credit application. As in previous years, there is likely to be a last-minute rush and it may be difficult to contact HMRC by phone. Renewing a claim online (either on the HMRC APP or GOV.UK) is the preferred method. It is also possible to renew by post or phone. There are still some 300,000 claims that need to be renewed.

Once the deadline has expired, anyone who has not yet renewed their tax credits should still ensure they do so as soon as possible as otherwise their payments may be stopped, and monies received since last April may have to be repaid. We would strongly advise any of our readers who have not yet renewed their tax credits application to do so as a matter of urgency.

Over 1.5 million renewal packs were sent out by HMRC between early May and mid-June. A renewal is required if the pack has a red line across the first page and it says, 'reply now'. If the pack has a black line and says, ‘check now’, recipients will need to check the details are correct. If the details are correct the tax credit awards will be renewed automatically, and no further action is required.

Taxpayers should notify HMRC where there have been changes to the living arrangements, childcare costs, number of hours worked and salary (increase or decrease). Details of previous year's income also need to be completed on the form to allow HMRC to check if the correct tax credits have been paid.

Universal Credit is expected to replace tax credits and other legacy benefits (including Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance, Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance) by the end of 2024.

Fraudsters often try to take advantage of the 31 July deadline for submitting tax credits renewal information. 

The fraudulent emails, texts or calls claim to be from HMRC and often promise money back in the form of a tax rebate together with a click-through link to a replica of the HMRC website. The fraudsters then try and steal personal details such as bank or credit card details of unwitting recipients who in some cases even transfer money for a bogus overpayment. 

As the deadline approaches, HMRC is warning around 1.5 million tax credits customers to be alerted to scams that mimic government communications to make them appear genuine. In the 12 months to 30 April 2023, HMRC responded to more than 170,234 referrals of suspicious contact from the public. More than 68,437 of these offered bogus tax rebates.

Typical scam examples include:

• emails or texts claiming an individual’s details aren’t up to date and that they risk losing out on payments that are due to them;
• emails or texts claiming that a direct debit payment hasn’t ‘gone through’;
• phone calls threatening arrest if people don’t immediately pay fake tax owed;
• claims that the victim’s National Insurance number has been used in fraud; and
• emails or texts offering spurious tax rebates or bogus grants or support.

HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:

‘Tax scams come in many forms and we’re urging customers to be alert to the tactics used by fraudsters and never to let yourselves be rushed. If someone contacts you saying they’re from HMRC and asks you to give personal information or urgently transfer money, be on your guard. Search ‘HMRC scams’ advice on GOV.UK to find out how to report scams and help us fight these crimes.’

Universal Credit is expected to fully replace tax credits, and other legacy benefits (including Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance, Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance) by the end of 2024.

HMRC is currently sending the annual tax credit renewal packs to some 1.5 million tax credit claimants and is encouraging recipients to renew their tax credits claim online. HMRC started writing to taxpayers on 2 May and expects all packs to be with recipients by the 15 June 2023. 

A renewal is required if the pack has a red line across the first page and it says, 'reply now'. Families and individuals that receive tax credits should ensure that they renew their tax credit claims by 31 July 2023. Claimants who do not renew on-time may have their payments stopped. Around 500,000 taxpayers are expected to receive these packs and can renew their tax credits via GOV.UK or on HMRC’s app.

If the renewal pack has a black line across the front page and says ‘check now’, then you will need to check your details are correct. Taxpayers need to notify HMRC where there have been changes to the family size, childcare costs, number of hours worked and salary. Details of previous year's income also need to be completed on the form to allow HMRC to check if the correct tax credits have been paid. Claimants must also inform HMRC of any changes in circumstances not already reported during the year such as new working hours, different childcare costs or changes in pay.

Universal Credit is expected to fully replace tax credits, and other legacy benefits (including Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance, Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance) by the end of 2024. This means that claimants who receive tax credits will receive a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) telling them when to claim Universal Credit.

There has been a 10.1% increase in twelve Scottish government grants that are delivered through Social Security Scotland. Seven of these benefits are only available North of the border.

The Scottish Social Security Minister said the following:

“We are committing £5.2 billion for social security benefits in 2023-24, providing support to more than one million people in Scotland. This is £776 million above the level of funding we are forecast to receive from the UK Government for social security through Block Grant Adjustments.

“The choices we have taken in our Budget represent a significant investment in people and are key to our national mission to tackle child poverty. They will help low-income families with their living costs, support people to heat their homes in winter, and enable disabled people to live full and independent lives. This is money that will go directly to people who need it the most.”

The benefits that have increased are:

• Child Winter Hearing Assistance
• Carer’s Allowance Supplement
• Young Carer Grant
• Job Start Payment
• Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment
• Best Start Grant School Age Payment
• Adult Disability Payment
• Child Disability Payment
• Best Start Foods
• Best Start Grant Pregnancy & Baby Payment
• Funeral Support Payment
• Winter Heating Payment

In addition, the Scottish Child Payment increased to £25 per week from 14 November 2022. The payment is available to qualifying applicants living in Scotland for children under the age of 16. This represented a 150% increase in eight months.

HMRC has begun sending the annual tax credit renewal packs to some 2.5 million tax credit claimants and is encouraging recipients to renew their tax credits claim online. The packs are being sent out over the next 6 weeks and should be with recipients by 4 June 2021. 

A renewal is required if the pack has a red line across the first page and it says, 'reply now'. Families and individuals that receive tax credits should ensure that they renew their tax credit claims by 31 July 2021. Claimants who do not renew on-time may have their payments stopped. 

If the renewal pack has a black line across the front page and says ‘check now’, then you will need to check your details are correct. Taxpayers need to notify HMRC where there have been changes to the family size, child care costs, number of hours worked and salary. Details of previous year's income also need to be completed on the form to allow HMRC to check if the correct tax credits have been paid. Claimants must also inform HMRC of any changes in circumstances not already reported during the year such as new working hours, different childcare costs or changes in pay.

Taxpayers are not required to report any temporary falls in their working hours as a result of coronavirus. They will be treated as if they are working their normal hours until the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme closes.

Universal credit will eventually replace tax credits, and some other social security benefits. You cannot claim tax credits and Universal Credit at the same time.

As part of the March 2021 Budget, the Chancellor announced that the temporary £20 weekly uplift in Universal Credits would continue for a further six months, until the end of September 2021. It was also confirmed that Working Tax Credit claimants would receive equivalent support. It appears that it was operationally difficult for this support to be delivered on a periodic basis and the government therefore decided to deliver this support via a £500, one-off payment.

The one-off payment provides extra support following the end of the 2020-21 tax year. It is though that more than a million households up and down the country will be eligible for the one-off payment if, on 2 March 2021, they were getting either:

• Working Tax Credit
• Child Tax Credit and were eligible for Working Tax Credit but did not get a payment because their income was too high to get Working Tax Credit payments

There is no requirement to contact HMRC or apply for the payment. 

HMRC will make contact by text message or letter during April to confirm if you are eligible.

If you are eligible, you should get your payment direct to your bank account by 23 April 2021. You will not see the payment on the online tax credit service.

The payment is non-taxable and will not affect your benefits. You do not need to declare it as income on your Self-Assessment tax returns or for tax credit claims and renewals.

Friday 31 July 2020 is the deadline day for families and individuals that receive tax credits to tell HMRC about any changes to their financial circumstances. As in previous years, there is likely to be a huge last-minute rush and it may be difficult to contact HMRC by phone. Claims can be renewed by post, phone or online.

Once the deadline has expired anyone who has not yet renewed their tax credits should still ensure they do so as soon as possible as otherwise payments may be stopped, and monies received since April 2020 may have to be repaid.

We would strongly advise readers who have not dealt with this annual chore to renew their tax credits as a matter of urgency.

All renewal packs should have been received by the end of June. A renewal is required if the pack has a red line across the first page and it says – reply now. If the pack has a black line and says – check now – recipients will need to check the details are correct. If the details are correct, the tax credit awards will be renewed automatically.

While most tax credit awards will be renewed automatically in 2020, the self-employed, those in receipt of taxable social security benefit, or those who have other income may need to review their total household income and tell HMRC if the income detail held is incorrect.

Families and individuals that receive tax credits should ensure that they review their tax credit claims by 31 July 2020. Claimants who do not inform HMRC about relevant changes in their circumstances by the deadline date may have their payments stopped.

HMRC has sent tax credits renewal packs to tax credit claimants and is encouraging recipients who need to respond to do so online. All renewal packs should have been received by the end of June. A renewal is required if the pack has a red line across the first page and it says, 'reply now'. If the pack has a black line and says, 'check now', recipients will need to check the details are correct. If the details are correct the tax credit awards will be renewed automatically. The self-employed, those in receipt of taxable social security benefit or those who have other income may need to review their total household income and advise HMRC if the income held is incorrect.

As part of the package of measures to tackle the Coronavirus outbreak, the government in April announced that the basic element Working Tax Credit payments would be increased from an expected £1,995 to £3,040 for the 2020-21 tax year starting on 6 April 2020. This increase of £1,040 is an increase equivalent to £20 per week for the current tax year. The actual maximum additional amount that Working Tax Credits recipients receive depends on their individual circumstances, including their level of household income.

We would like to remind our readers that as part of the package of measures to tackle the Coronavirus outbreak, the basic element Working Tax Credit payments was increased to £3,040 for the 2020-21 tax year.

This increase of £1,045 is equivalent to an extra £20 each week for the current tax year. The actual amount that Working Tax Credits recipients will receive depends on their specific circumstances, including their level of household income.

If you claim Working Tax Credits, you do not have to take any action or contact HMRC – the increase in your payments should have started automatically from 6 April 2020.

The government also increased child benefit, other tax credits rates and thresholds and guardian's allowance by 1.7% from 6 April 2020.

There have also been corresponding increases in Universal Credit available to many employed and self-employed workers on low incomes or who have become unemployed. This has seen the government increase the basic element and remove the minimum income floor in a move to benefit the self-employed. The minimum income floor does not currently apply, this measure is due to last until the Coronavirus outbreak is over.

It has been confirmed that the minimum weekly hours requirement to be eligible for tax credits has been temporarily suspended because of coronavirus. Tax Credits can provide top-up payments to those on low incomes.

Under normal circumstances, you must work a certain number of hours a week to qualify for these credits. If you are working reduced hours due to coronavirus or as a result of being furloughed your tax credits payments will be unaffected if you are still employed or self-employed.

HMRC will treat you as working your normal hours until the Job Retention Scheme and Self-Employment Income Support Scheme close, even if you are not using either scheme.

You should still notify HMRC of any other changes in income, childcare and hours in the normal way. You must tell HMRC if you (or your partner) lose your job, are made redundant or cease trading.

The basic element Working Tax Credit payment has been increased from an expected £1,995 to £3,040 for the 2020-21 tax year that commenced 6 April 2020. This is part of a package of measures to help support families coping with the Coronavirus outbreak.

This increase of £1,040 is an increase equivalent to up to £86.67 per month for one year from 6 April 2020. The actual amount that Working Tax Credits recipients will receive depends on their circumstances, including their level of household income.

The government had previously confirmed that from 6 April 2020, the child benefit rates, and other tax credits rates and thresholds would be increased in line with the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), resulting in a 1.7% increase. For example, the child benefit rates for the only or eldest child in a family increased to £21.05 and the weekly rate for all other children to £13.95.

These changes were announced before the Coronavirus outbreak and represented the first increases in most rates since 2016. During this period, most working-age benefits (except for disability and carer’s benefits) were held at their 2015-16 cash value.

If you claim Working Tax Credits or receive any other benefits such as Child Tax Credits, Child Benefit or Guardian’s allowance then the increased payments should be automatically applied.

The government has announced that certain benefits will be increased as part of the package of measures to help households affected by COVID-19. This will see the standard rate of Universal Credit and Tax Credits increased by £20 a week (£1,040 per year) for one year from 6 April 2020.

It has earlier been announced as part of the Budget measures that the self-employed are to be provided with easier access to Universal Credits and the Contributory Employment and Support Allowance. This means that the self-employed with no income can effectively claim Universal Credit in the same way as someone who's unemployed. However, there is a five-week waiting period before a first payment is made. An advance payment can be claimed once a claim is accepted but must be paid back. The usual requirement to attend a Jobcentre in person is currently not required and claims can be made on-line.

There will also be up to £1bn of additional support for renters through increases in housing benefit and Universal Credit. From April, Local Housing Allowance rates will pay for at least 30% of market rents in each area. This applies to all private renters who are new or existing Universal Credit housing element claimants and to existing Housing Benefit claimants.