How to renew tax credits

If you’re claiming tax credits, you’ll be sent a renewal pack in the post. It will tell you how to renew your tax credits.

You must renew your tax credits by 31 July 2017 if your renewal pack has a red line across the first page and it says ‘reply now’.

If you miss the deadline your tax credits payments will stop. You’ll be sent a statement and will have to pay back the tax credits you’ve been given since 6 April 2017.

You must have your renewal pack to renew your tax credits. If you don’t get your pack in the post by 26 June 2017, call the tax credits helpline.

Why your payments may change before you renew

From 6 April until you renew, your payments may change based on information HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) holds on your circumstances, such as your pay or pension. Your renewal pack will show the reason for any changes.

Once you renew, your payments may change again based on the information you provide.

When you don’t need to renew

If your renewal pack says ‘check now’, check your details to make sure they’re correct.

You don’t need to do anything if your details are correct. Your tax credits will be automatically renewed.

You must tell the Tax Credit Office by 31 July 2017 if anything in your pack is incorrect. Your tax credits could stop or you could be fined if you don’t.

You won’t get a renewal pack until April 2018 if you first claimed tax credits after 6 April 2017.

How to renew

If you need to renew, you can either do it:

• online
• by phone or post

The Tax Credit Office will send you an award notice within 8 weeks of receiving your renewal, telling you how much you’ll get.

What you need

You’ll need:

• your renewal pack
• your National Insurance number
• details about any changes to your circumstances
• you and your partner’s total income for the last tax year
• the 15-digit renewals reference number on your renewal pack - if you’re renewing by phone