Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Money matters

Find financial and money-saving discussions including debt and pension chat on our Money forum. If you're looking for ways to make your money to go further, sign up to our Moneysaver emails here.

Original poster

Tax credits renewal

76 replies

NGC2017 · 09/05/2019 17:00

Hi.

Its that time of year I dread as I'm always filled with worry that somehow I have been overpaid and need to pay money back. I am always very on the ball with updates yet somehow always seem to be overpaid.

Anyway I noticed on monday my award has gone down by £100 a month. Which is frustrating as I'm sure it comes down to my pension contributions remaining unknown, something I can only declare on the declaration.

I contacted tax credits today and was told my renewal pack was posted on 4th May but to expect to wait 2 weeks for it. Seems really long? Sorry for the silly question but has anyone waited quite a long time for their renewal to come through?

I am keen to get things sorted as I can't afford any losses. And I'm not going to lie it's frustrating when all this could have been avoided by being allowed to submit payslips and pension statements to prove the payments have been made. I have many conversations with them last year about to but they didn't seem to care

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

TIA x

OP posts:
Original poster
NGC2017 · 14/05/2019 19:32

Wow the 2nd May! Really @lovelydayyyyyyy.
Mine was posted on 4th so hopefully I will get mine by the end of this week.
I just want it all done and dusted now. I'm pretty confident all will be resolved when everything goes though. However, and you never know with TCs, If they try and say I owe them an overpayment I will be very shocked as I just don't know how that could of happened

OP posts:
spursheaven · 14/05/2019 19:36

My sister just got letter for 6600 over payment last year always up to date?

So 183.00 down a month!

Original poster
NGC2017 · 14/05/2019 19:43

Omg @spursheaven

Have they told her how? Is she aware how it could of happened?

Maybe I shouldn't be so confident afterall. Thats actually made me feel abit sick. That's a huge overpayment given last year was up to date

OP posts:
IWantMyHatBack · 14/05/2019 19:47

Well, I just got mine and it was absolutely bang on. Try not to stress

Original poster
NGC2017 · 14/05/2019 19:53

Thanks @IWantMyHatBack. You are right. Nothing has changed in my employment or personal circumstances so i need to keep perspective. I'm glad you have received yours and it all correct. You didn't see a fall in them then recently?

OP posts:
Grumpymug · 14/05/2019 20:10

I hate TC, I'm on a predictable but fluctuating income. It's predictable as in I work so many shifts one month, and one more a week the next, constantly, so earn more every other month, if that makes sense?
I average it over the year but quite often get overtime, and increase hours and income accordingly, as soon as I've been paid for it. My average dropped below 30 when the new tax year started, so I lost quite a bit, the 30 hour element. I've done some overtime and just increased hours and income again. I didn't get an overpayment last year, I try and over estimate income by about £200 to take account of the odd hours overtime here and there and increase it when that adds up or when there's a couple of full shifts worth of overtime. It worked last year, I didn't get an overpayment, but I have no Idea about this year. And I'm dreading it.

Original poster
NGC2017 · 14/05/2019 20:19

Oh that's a tough one @Grumpymug. Sorry to hear that. It would he nice really if we all didn't need them wouldn't it.
I think it's sad as its amazing how many people out there struggle financially.
I was contemplating reducing my hours slightly so I could take my son to school. On the odd occasion I am able to and he absolutely loves it. However I couldn't afford to fall below the 30 hours threshold, let alone absorb the loss in wage albeit very small.

I hope this years are kind to you and you have no overpayment to repay.

OP posts:
IWantMyHatBack · 14/05/2019 20:38

Actually, I've noticed a slight increase. I think they realised they were actually underpaying me. I got audited about a year ago and they requested a few childcare invoices, bank statements etc. I sent them a 40 page PDF with everything that could possibly be relevant Grin.

Mummylou83 · 14/05/2019 20:42

Mines was sent on the 30th April and I’m still waiting. I phoned today and the lady renewed for me over the phone as it has been 2 weeks and still not been received. Not sure if it’s lost or just still to arrive x

Grumpymug · 14/05/2019 20:42

@NGC2017

Yes, I'm waiting with baited breath to see what happens now, I'm half expecting a fraud investigation tbh because I lost the 30 hours element and then a couple of weeks later have increased everything again, but it's just that I never know when the overtime will come, so I estimate on my 'regular' hours from April 1st and then increase as I go as and when the overtime comes in. I'm literally 15 mins a week below 30 hours on my regular hours so it only takes a couple of shifts to push it over 30 on average over the year.
It's so complicated though, and like you, I just wish I didn't need to claim anything, but needs must.
Hoping yours all goes smoothly too, and you don't get an overpayment, it sucks just waiting doesn't it, can't budget what you don't know.

Original poster
NGC2017 · 14/05/2019 20:44

@IWantMyHatBack I was audited too a few years back for my childcare. At the time having never been through it I crapped myself so literally sent them a case book with everything and anything . I'm sure most wasn't relevant lol

OP posts:
Original poster
NGC2017 · 14/05/2019 20:49

That's it @Grumpymug it wasnt an audit I had. I remember the letter was childcare fraud. I suppose they are the same thing though.
I basically started with the childminder, increased my hours, and then increased again, so my need to childcare increased. I stupidly thought that increasing my hours went hand in hand with my child being in childcare longer hours. Obviously not!

OP posts:
Original poster
NGC2017 · 14/05/2019 20:51

@Mummylou83 thanks. I didn't realise you could do it over the phone. But then again mine won't be so straightforward due to having to declare my pension payments.

Does anyone know how I confirm these, as surely its not enough giving them the figure. Do I post them proof?

OP posts:
birmanbaby · 14/05/2019 20:56

What’s this about pensions? I’ve never told them about my pension Shock. Shit, if I tell them now am I going to owe them a ton of money Sad

Original poster
NGC2017 · 14/05/2019 21:05

@birmanbaby it depends how it's taken.
For example if it's paid before tax and NI they will already know about it. Mine isn't. Mine is paid after all deductions are made so it is on me to declare them at renewal.
They don't count what you pay into your pension as income. For example if you pay £1000 a year in to your pension, the will take that amount off your earned income.

OP posts:
spursheaven · 14/05/2019 21:41

Issue here is they can make mistakes and your still reliable for over payments!

Original poster
NGC2017 · 15/05/2019 10:20

My DS has woken up with a breakout of chicken pox so it's home for us for the next few days.
Post has just come and still no declaration 😩😩😩

OP posts:
Original poster
NGC2017 · 15/05/2019 10:23

I don't doubt that @spursheaven but that's a massive overpayment to be hit with.
Does she have proof that any changes made haven't been logged on their part. For such a big amount changes much have taken place but not have been accounted for.

It has happened to me before, albeit for a much lesser amount and you are right you have to pay it regardless, but if defo needs looking into

OP posts:
Original poster
NGC2017 · 16/05/2019 10:17

So it would appear that Tax Credits really are in a backlog.
Received a brown envelope today and thought to myself finally, let's get this sorted. No! It's a provisional award following me giving the estimates.

It was dated 30th April. Apparently my renewal pack is dated 4th May so I am guessing its more like next week.

The good news is, based on the figures in the this letter, my payments shouldn't be down for long

OP posts:
IronManisnotDead · 16/05/2019 11:14

OP would it not be better for you to stop paying your pension especially if your in debt and this is causing the drop in your tax credit?

Also please speak to stepchange about your Ex's debt, they could possibly help with this.

Original poster
NGC2017 · 16/05/2019 11:34

Maybe but the debt will be over in a few years and in the meantime I know I am being responsible with my future investment. I'd rather struggle now to be honest. May sound silly to some, but it's because there will be an end to the debt. But thanks for the advice

OP posts:
Original poster
NGC2017 · 20/05/2019 12:31

Hi all.

It's been over 2 weeks now. Has anyone waited longer than this?

OP posts:
PonderingPanda · 20/05/2019 12:38

For what?

IVEgottheDECAF · 20/05/2019 12:41

Did my renewal online on saturday, how long have people waited to hear back?

Original poster
NGC2017 · 20/05/2019 14:07

To receive their renewal pack. I have tried to renew without it, but I can't as I need to declare different figures.
My pack was posted on 4th May

OP posts: