Tax credit overpayment but how???

[confusedmummy123]

To want an explanation from tax credits about an overpayment that makes sense?
I moved in with my partner 19th Feb. Received my tax credits payment four days before. I rang last Monday to close my claim. My income for this year is the same as last which they base my payments on. There have been no changes to my hours or childcare costs. If there is I always tell them. For some reason on my final award notice today I have an overpayment of 674 pounds!!!! Although this is to be confirmed when renewal forms come through. I rang but they can't give me any explanation. Well except that they have paid me too much (but why) and that is to do with my claim ending before the end of of financial year and that if I was still claiming and not moved in with boyfriend it would have averaged out. Is this because tax credits pay out in advance or what? I just want a reasonable explanation and not getting it.

Tax credits are a mystery! I would put the overpayment into a separate account as they will surely claim it back at the end of the next tax year.

When I received an overpayment it was because they had deleted my partner by mistake when I called the to amend the number of hours I was working. Keep the money to one side, they will want it back.

If they say that have overpaid it means op is being asked for the £674 back. They may be paying it in advance as you suggested. Hope it works out okay- I would find it stressful.

That’s disgraceful if your circumstances haven’t changed. This sort of thing really hacks me off. I got a tax debt one year saying I had underpaid to the tune of nearly a grand - I’m a public sector worker, don’t claim anything and don’t get additional payments from work - so very straightforward pay tax as I go type thing. How can that be do mucked up?

Still mad about it few hours later!! I think basically they paid me as though my claim ran for 365 days but the actual claim period is 320 days due to moving in with partner so they have gone from April 5th 21 to 19th Feb 22. So its basically this is what we have paid (averaged out over 365 days) but you should have only had 320 days pay. Omg so confusing. I'm basically putting it aside and assuming it's going have to be paid back.