Tax Credit Letter Panic - help please

[jonbonjovismissus]

Have come home today to find a letter from TCO saying that they think that I have been claiming as a single parent for 12/13 and 13/14 when I should have been claiming with my partner. They've asked for loads of extra information is going to be really difficult to find; however I thought that I was already claiming with my partner as I telephoned them to let them know when we bought the house together in 2010.
I have been renewing over the phone as my renewal forms haven't been coming through; am panicking that we've been overpaid and that they will think it's deliberate and prosecute me, any advice on what to do or what might happen?

I think they would recognise a genuine misunderstanding, try not to panic but be prepared for them to request money back.

Don't suppose you can find any record from 2010 of you ringing them, or a letter for changing your details?

Suspect they have messed up, but your going to have to help them sort it. Have the renewal packs been going to the old house? ie when did they upgrade your address to get to yuo now? Have other letters from them been coming through?

They make it very clear when you phone to renew that you cannot renew unless you have had the pack through the post & that you can vouch that everything is correct. Think you need to bite the bullet & ring them up to explain and hope they don't see it as deliberate. Have you renewed yet for this year? How much does your partner earn cos if for eg you were both on benefits then it wouldn't affect the amount of money you'd be due.

Hi there

If you've rang and told them of your changes you have nothing to worry about - I used to work in a tax credit call centre and every phone call is recorded, and every time you have had contact with them by phone is automatically logged on your records.

You wont get prosecuted,it will be a warning hun.I know someone this has happened to but cant go into detail and you are going to worry but it will be ok x

I was overpaid on Child Tax Credit a few years ago, but did not have to repay all immediately. They spread the repayment over the rest of the tax year, which was much better.
As yours if over a few years, and is a genuine error, they may come to an arrangement with you which is not too hard on your pocket. :)

Thanks all, I have rung & spoken to two different departments so far & they have both been very helpful.......I will have to pay some back but I don't know what yet. They haven't said anything about them thinking it was delvierate which wasn't so fingers crossed; I'm more worried about that than anything else. The money will be a blow but I don't want to get prosecuted