Tax credits , when do I provide information?

[Mumswang]

Despite bei g reasonably bright tax credits, working tax credits I believe, are a mystery to me

DS is almost 2. We get something like £60 a month but I've not been asked to provide any proof of our earnings and outgoings for a very long time if ever

Should I be expecting some kind of form, do I need to request one? Or fora the inland revenue tell them what we earn.

Oh and am I correct in thinking that what we pay for child care is taken into account because I've certainly never told them about what we pay

yes you will get a renewal in the post, they come any time from April and have to be returned by 31 July.
I haven't yet received mine.
It you want to claim the childcare element then yes, you have to tell them how much childcare you pay.

Thanks chasingsquirrels, that's good news

I'm not sure why I am completely unable to understand tax credits, nothing else baffles me to such a degree

So will I be asked to provide info on last year's income or on what I except the coming years to be?

the tax credits you receive for the year are based on your income for the previous tax year UNLESS your income for the current year increases by more than £10,000 (2011/12 level) in which case you should notify them when that happens OR you ask for it to be based on current year income (which you might do if you anticipate it falling).
You can check your entitlement here

That's great. Thank you

Ok I've done the calculator based on last years earnings and it says our award should be greater than what we have been receiving

Will this correct itself after I fill in a renewal form?

greater than you have been receiving since 5 April 11? Yes - that would be corrected when they get the renewal.

Or greater than you received last tax year (April 10 - March 11)? That is based on your 09/10 income and you would need to do that calculation on last year's rates (2011/12 are different rates).
If you haven't notified them of your childcare costs you may not be getting that element - I have no idea if that can be backdated.

I would try calling them on Monday to update your info.