The deadline for tax credit renewals is Sunday 31 July and with just days to go, claimants are urged to use HMRC’s online service.

More than 222,000 claimants still need to renew which means they need to check their details are correct, or update HMRC if there is a change in circumstance.

This could include a change in living arrangements, childcare, working hours or income (increase or decrease).

Tax credits help working families with financial support, so HMRC said it is important people don’t miss out on money they are entitled to.

Claimants should have received one of these renewal packs:

• If it has a red line across the first page and says ‘reply now’, customers will need to confirm their circumstances to renew their tax credits.
• If it has a black line across the first page and says ‘check now’, customers will need to check their details are correct. If correct, customers do not need to do anything and their tax credits will be automatically renewed.

So far, more than 363,000 people have renewed ahead of the deadline.

‘Too important to forget’

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s director general for customer services, said: “The 31 July deadline is fast approaching and renewing your tax credits is too important to forget. HMRC support is available at all times of the day and night via GOV.UK and the smartphone app to help customers get their renewals right.

“It’s great to see so many customers have already renewed their tax credits. I urge those who are yet to renew to do so as soon as possible, in order to avoid having their payments stopped.”

HMRC warned that as the deadline for renewal approaches, customers hurrying to sort out their accounts could be more vulnerable to scammers. Customers are urged never to share their HMRC login details.

Tax credits are ending and will be replaced by Universal Credit by the end of 2024. You can use an independent benefits calculator to check if you’ll be better by switching to Universal Credit, though it’s important to get independent advice before the move.