1.5m people renew tax credits well ahead of July deadline

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has confirmed more than 1.5 million people have renewed their tax credits with a month to go until the 31st July renewal deadline.

Around a third (500,000) of those claimants have opted to renew online with around 750,00 said to have renewed their tax credits using the online service throughout the entirety of last year’s renewal period.

By the end of the month more than 3.1 million people in total will have renewed their tax credits for the next year.

Tax credit claimants must notify HMRC of any changes to their personal circumstances that the tax authority aren’t already aware of. This includes changes to working hours, personal income and childcare costs. These amendments can be made through GOV.UK or via HMRC’s new app.

HMRC has now dedicated a special team to support the most vulnerable customers who cannot go online. Those who need special assistance renewing their tax credits will be contacted directly by HMRC’s customer support teams.

Nick Lodge, director general of benefits and credits, HMRC, said: “We are delighted that many people are choosing to renew online. The online service means that people can renew at any time of the day or night, without having to call us.

“Online help is there to support people and our webchat facility can also answer most queries you may have.”

Failure to renew tax credits before the 31^st July deadline will result in payments being stopped and people will be at subsequent risk of having to repay the money they have claimed since April.

To sign in and renew your tax credits online for the first time you’ll require a Government Gateway account and your permanent National Insurance number. Signing in activates your own personal tax account which can then be used going forward to check and manage HMRC records.

Date published 5 Jul 2016 | Last updated 5 Jul 2016