Top 10 Excuses For Missing Tax Credits Renewal Deadline

Last year more than 87% of claimants renewed ahead of the tax credit renewal deadline, and this year’s deadline is fast approaching (31st July).

With plenty of advanced warning from HMRC, there’s no excuse not to get your tax credit renewal in order. However, the tax office has released the top 10 excuses it’s received for not renewing tax credits claims.

While some of these excuses go from the sublime to the ridiculous, HMRC asks all claimants to check the accuracy of the information in their renewals pack, and to tell the department of any changes to their personal circumstances that they haven’t already reported, such as to their working hours, childcare costs or pay.

The Top 10 Excuses:

1. I didn’t need the money because I’d met a rich bloke, but he dumped me
2. My mum usually does this for me
3. The form was locked in the boot of my car, and then my car caught fire
4. My baby used the paperwork as a colouring book
5. My dog ate the form
6. I got confused with the 31 January Self-Assessment deadline
7. I booked the last two weeks of July for a holiday and forgot all about it
8. I’ve been in hospital but am feeling much better now
9. I was unable to get income details from my employers in time
10. I thought I’d already renewed

The renewal of tax credits is very important for millions of families who rely on financial support for bills such as childcare costs. HM Revenuee & Customs (HMRC) sent over 5.8 million tax credits renewal packs to claimants between April and June 2014.
 
For the first time, this year, claimants can renew their tax credits online at GOV.UK, as well as being able to renew by post and phone.  For more information on how to renew your tax credits please click here.

Nick Lodge, director general of benefits and credits at HMRC, said: “Renewing tax credits on time is important. People who don’t renew by the deadline can, and do, lose their payments.”
 
Take a look at some of the key facts and figures to come out of last year’s tax credit renewal deadline:

Image: HM Revenue and Customs

Date published 18 Jul 2014

This article is intended to inform rather than advise and is based on legislation and practice at the time. Taxpayer’s circumstances do vary and if you feel that the information provided is beneficial it is important that you contact us before implementation. If you take, or do not take action as a result of reading this article, before receiving our written endorsement, we will accept no responsibility for any financial loss incurred.