Tax credits customers have until 31 July deadline to renew claims

Renew your tax credits by 31 July, warns HM Revenue & Customs

The deadline to renew tax credit claims is just days away, and as the deadline on Saturday 31 July approaches, people are being urged not to leave their renewal until the last minute and risk their payments being stopped.

The quickest and easiest way to complete a renewal is via GOV.UK. Customers can manage their tax credits online here.

Once tax credits customers have completed their renewal, they can use their online account to check its progress and find out when they will hear back from HMRC.

Customers do not need to report any temporary falls in their working hours as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Unless their hours have permanently changed, they will continue to be treated as if they are working their normal hours for up to eight weeks after the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme closes.

Any self-employed individuals who have claimed a Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant will need to declare the grant payments. Search ‘working out your income for tax credit/self-employment’ on GOV.UK.

But if there is a change in a customer’s circumstances that could affect their tax credits, they must report the changes to HMRC. These include changes to living arrangements, childcare, working hours, or income (increase or decrease).

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “Tax credits payments can provide our customers with vital financial support. Don’t delay and do it online.”

Customers can also get help and information on renewing tax credits by:

• Using HMRC’s webchat service, by going to the GOV.UK website and searching ‘tax credits general enquiries’
• Tweeting @HMRCcustomers on Twitter or posting on the HMRC Facebook page with general queries
• Using the HMRC app, available via your phone’s app store
• Watching HMRC YouTube videos
• Calling the tax credits helpline: 0345 300 3900

HMRC is also reminding customers that Post Office card accounts are closing. From 30 November 2021, HMRC will stop making payments of Child Benefit, Guardians Allowance and tax credits into Post Office card accounts. If customers miss this November deadline, their payments will be suspended until a valid bank account is provided.

Any tax credits and Child Benefit customers who use this account to receive their payments are being reminded that they will need to notify HMRC of their new bank account details. They can contact HMRC’s helpline (0345 300 3900), update their details while renewing tax credits or use their Personal Tax Account. To find out how to open a bank account, visit Citizens Advice.