Household Bills
HMRC gears up to send 1.5 million tax credits renewal packs: Beware scam contact
HMRC is about to send out 1.5 million renewal packs to tax credits claimants which need to be checked by summer. But watch out for criminals who may try to exploit this deadline.
The renewal packs for the 2023/24 tax year will be sent out in batches between Tuesday 2 May and Thursday 15 June.
Tax credits are available to some working families. There are two different types, Working Tax Credit for those who work but are on a low income or are registered as disabled, and Child Tax Credits for those with children.
They must be renewed every year otherwise the money will be stopped. As part of the process, you must tell HMRC about any changes to your situation, including to living arrangements, childcare, working hours or income.
Once the packs have been sent out, they must be renewed by 31 July 2023, either online through the Gov.uk website or via the HMRC app. The packs can also be renewed by post or by calling the HMRC helpline on 0345 300 3900.
Those receiving tax credits will also receive a cost-of-living payment at the start of May. These are being paid to families claiming tax credits, but no other means-tested benefits from 2 to 9 May.
Two different types of renewals
There are two different types of renewal packs that will be sent out. One has a red line across the first page and says ‘reply now’ for customers who need to confirm their current circumstances to renew their tax credits.
The second type has a black line across the first page and says ‘check now’ for those who need to check that all of their current details are correct. If the details are right, you won’t need to do anything else and the credits will be automatically renewed.
By the end of 2024, tax credits will be replaced by Universal Credit. Those who receive the credits will receive a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) telling them when they need to claim UC.
HMRC is also warning that criminals often use deadlines – like the one for tax credits renewals – to trick people into parting with their money. It said if a phone call, text or email is unexpected, you should not give out any details or click links within it.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s director general for customer services, said: “Tax credits provide families with vital financial support, so it is important that customers look out for their renewal pack and renew by 31 July. For details on how to renew, search ‘manage my tax credits’ on Gov.uk.”
