How long to sort tax credits

You might need these details if you need to prove you reported the change. Relay UK - if you can't hear or speak on the phone, you can type what you want to say: then You can use Relay UK with an app or a textphone.

Your call is likely to be free of charge if you have a phone deal that includes free calls to landlines - find out more about calling 03 numbers. Give as much information about the change as you can. For example if your partner has moved out tell HMRC their name, when they moved and what their new address is. Call the tax credits helpline as soon as you can. Make a note of the date and time you call - you might need to refer to it later. You can report the change online on GOV.

You can ask them not to do this if you have a good reason for reporting the change late - for example if someone in your family was seriously ill.

If HMRC still says you have to pay the penalty, you can ask them to reduce the amount you have to pay. Explain why you think they should do this - for example if you told them as soon as you realised. You can also ask HMRC to let you pay the penalty in smaller amounts over a longer period of time. HMRC might ask you for more information so they can work out how much to pay you. They'll send you a letter telling you:.

Check the letter to make sure HMRC has recorded the right change of circumstance. Call the tax credits helpline to check that HMRC have recorded your change of circumstance. Try to save the extra tax credits if you think HMRC might be paying you too much.

This will make it easier to pay it back if HMRC tells you to. Skip to navigation Skip to content Skip to footer. Top links Housing benefit. Top links Template letter to raise a grievance at work. Top links Our pensions advice Write a letter to your creditors. Top links If you want a refund because of coronavirus Contact the consumer helpline Report to Trading Standards Problems with a used car Return faulty goods Buying a used car Your energy supply View all.

Housing Coronavirus - if you have problems with renting Renting privately Renting from the council or a housing association Homelessness Repairs in rented housing Renting a home Mortgage problems Discrimination in housing View all in Housing.

Family Living together, marriage and civil partnership How to separate Sorting out money Making agreements about your children If you were living together Death and wills Gender violence Children and young people View all in Family. Top links Making a will Complaining about social care services What does it mean to have power of attorney? Child abuse - advice and support Advice for people affected by child abuse.

Law and courts Legal system Claiming compensation for a personal injury Discrimination Parking tickets Civil rights. Top links Making a small claim Help for victims of rape and sexual violence. Not necessarily. If, for instance, you contact HMRC to let them know that a young person you claim child tax credit and child benefit for is either staying in or leaving approved full-time education or training, the notification should be updated on both sets of records, but this is not a given.

Changes should be made within a month of HMRC receiving them. This allows for backdated payments of up to one month if the changes mean you can get paid more. If there is a delay which means you receive overpayments, you can make an appeal when HMRC asks you to pay the money back. Universal Credit is the new government benefits model being gradually rolled out across the UK. You may already receive Universal Credit, depending on where you live.

If you are, you won't be able to apply for working tax credit or child tax credit, as Universal Credit payments should replace these. Changes in circumstances can also affect your Universal Credit payments — contact HMRC to check if this applies to you. Find out more: what is Universal Credit? Financial Services Limited. Financial Services Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Which? Limited and part of the Which?

Money Compare is a trading name of Which? Money Compare content is hosted by Which? Limited on behalf of Which? Tax calculators. National Insurance calculator Income tax calculator Council tax calculator Pension lump sum withdrawal tax calculator Dividend tax calculator Child benefit calculator Inheritance tax calculator All 7 calculators.

In this article. Coronavirus Covid benefits update What happens to my tax credit if my circumstances change? Tax credit changes: one-month deadline.

Tax credit: other changes How to tell HMRC about a change of circumstances Change of circumstances: your questions answered.

Coronavirus Covid benefits update Existing and new benefits claimants might be affected by changes put in place due to the coronavirus pandemic. Will changes in circumstances be backdated?

I get child tax credit and child benefit. Will both records be updated? Check how tax credits and Universal Credit affect each other. To help us improve GOV.

It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Cookies on GOV. UK We use some essential cookies to make this website work. Accept additional cookies Reject additional cookies View cookies.

Hide this message. Home Benefits Manage an existing benefit, payment or claim. Manage your tax credits.