Posting for advice re tax credits

[Lastfreakinglegs]

I have just had a letter saying I owe over 3k in tax credits overpayment from when I was on maternity leave 4 years ago. Wtf do I do and how come they are alerting me 4 years later!? They said they need it paying by next month. Worried so posting for advice.

Speak to Citizens Advice tomorrow

They also have an advice page on their website:
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/help-if-on-a-low-income/working-and-child-tax-credits/tax-credits-appeals/paying-back-a-working-or-child-tax-credits-overpayment/

All you can do is phone them and put a payment plan in place.

Thanks both. Anyone know why it's taken them 4 years to write to me to claim them?

It usually happens if you are no longer entitled to tax credits?

No advice except get in touch with citizens advice.

I was also owe tax credits around £4K for a mistake they made. The woman on the phone (after I'd spent weeks escalating it) admitted clear as day that it doesn't matter how up to date I kept them, and that I had done everything right, it was just the way the system works.

It's a fucking shambles and I'm lucky enough to be clear of it and I desperately hope I never need benefits again because the way the government run them is an absolute disgrace.

You can ask them to write it off, I know that, but I'll/you'll have to google it.

Well apparently they forgot to send the letter 4 years ago. . Suddenly they remembered. I phoned today and they have temporarily suspended it so I have some time but anyone know how I can appeal?

You get the right to appeal.... I went right up to the top level, had evidence that all my info was correct, they said my childcare details didn't match but wouldn't tell me what nursery they had down due to data protection 🤔 I am 99% sure my claim was accidentally updated with someone else's childcare provider details. I still lost and paid them back £10 a month.

Either Citizen’s Advice or Step Change can advise you. Info from Step Change here: www.stepchange.org/debt-info/tax-credit-overpayments.aspx