Declaring different income to what us shown on tax credits renewal pack

[SpideyMom]

Thought it would be easier starting a new thread than resurrecting the old old.

Hopefully it will be straight forward.

My pack STILL hasn't arrived however I do know I need to declare different figures than what they are currently using. Basically my pension contributions.

Can I do this online or do I have to renew by post? I've planned to do by post having all the evidence ready to send back, but I'm obviously thinking more about speed now. They have reduced my award by alot and am currently struggling, which we already were anyway. So this month is incredibly hard. The sooner they can get it processed the better.

Has anyone had any experience of declaring different figures and how did you have to do it.

TIA x

Anyone?

You can update your tax credits at any time online or over the phone.

You will still have to finalise when the renewal pack comes in, but no need to sit in this info now, just tell them.

I asked them that and they told me now I needed to wait for my renewal. They already have a figure for this year's earnings but it's been knocked down based in last years

So what's the question then? If they have already told you to wait?

The question is if you have to declare a different income than what the renewal shows can this still be done online or does it have to be through the post due to sending proof. They've never answered that as I've been told to wait.

Also interested. I have started a sipp this year, but there’s no way to declare on tc.

Do they even need proof? What do you send?

@bluebluezoo exactly. This is my point. It would make sense having to send them proof but no information on the process.
Postal renewal will take longer. And with mine still not here I want to get it done but it's quite a big difference in income so it needs to be corrected

Yes you can do it online. Or over the phone. Or by post.

Presumably they will ask for evidence at a later time?

I have never been asked for evidence. The whole point of the renewal is that it finalises your award for the previous year because often things are not as your predicted. It then gives you a provisional award going forward.

Thank you @freshstartnewme. that's a relief.

My first pack was sent 4th May. After 2 and a half weeks it was reissued. Then a week later my original pack arrived. I was told i couldnt renew on this one as a new pack had been issued. I did check again as it seemed odd given that the information would be exactly the same but I was told it wouldn't recognise the first pack so that's just been sat on the side. The second pack in now over 2 weeks late so I am hoping it will arrive any day now.

It's a relief to know I can still do it online though. I assume they are expecting it anyway as though my employer doesn't declare it they have told them I pay into a pension so they have requested those figures from me.

Hopefully renewing online will be much quicker than doing it through the post. Everything is printed ready to send them but my award has been knocked down by alot as they are using an incorrect income, the sooner it can be finalised and closed off the better really

Have you been online to check? If you have had multiple renewal packs issued you should be all to just tick yes to that and input your information.

Ooooh good point @freshstartnewme I didn't even know that was possible. Let me check

Apologies for sounding like a knob. It doesn't refer to multiple packs being sent however I have gone through every page and got the the confirm and send declaration page. There was nowhere for me to input my pension payments. Does this mean I have to deduct it from the whole salary they believe I have earned (first page)? It's thrown me as it says to refer to my P60 but my pension contributions won't be on there

I've submitted my declaration. Thanks for the advice on going online and doing it anyway.

There is nothing to suggest my second pack will be any different from what was initially sent and from the questions asked I can't see how the questions or information will be any different. I'm annoyed about this as they made out I would need my second pack before i could declare - like it would be different.

I ended up getting onto chat with them to keep being told I can't deduct as its a workplace pension. I had to be a little direct and quote my declaration and a link to my pension provider as I kept being told I can't deduct it when the renewal pack states I have to as i have a non net pay arrangement.

I got an apology and was told to put it in my total income earned for the year as there isn't a separate part of the declaration.

Thank you again for your advice.

Sorry I have no idea re pensions. I just input what we have coming in but I am self employed.

Glad you got it sorted

Do employers pensions count? My employer takes from my pay but I thought that was all taken into account as it’s pre tax or whatever? Or what’s the point of using the p60 figure as the vast majority of people would need to change it..

I started a sipp as dh got a pay rise so I’m bunging the difference in there as i didn’t have a pension for a few years and have the fear now I’m rapidly heading towards 50 and my pension isn’t great...

Generally no. If you pay via your workplace they will not deduct it as it is normally taken BEFORE you are taxed etc. Mine isn't. I have a non net pay arrangement. So my employer basically declares my full salary as that is what I have had deductions made from and tell the HMRC that I am paying into a pension after deductions are made. Relief at source/non net pay pension scheme. So it's basically like a am paying into a private pension through my workplace.

It isn't the standard way which is why things have been so awkward

Sorry I forgot to add I only give them my own contributions, I do not include what my employer pays

I've had to do exactly the same thing and checked through gov.uk web chat. There was a bit of confusion from the adviser about whether the payments were through my employer or made by me, perhaps they don't come across this very often. He confirmed that I need to deduct the amount of 'grossed up' pension contributions from my gross pay and if they have any queries they'll contact me. I didn't need to provide any evidence.

I don't entirely trust them so will keep an eye out for any decisions so I don't miss a chance to challenge them if they get it wrong.

It's a pain to do it, but worth it eventually (I have to keep reminding myself this so I don't give up).

@PotholePalace its a nightmare isnt it!

She kept telling me last night that I cannot deduct them because it would have already been deducted before tax. She repeated it so many times I snapped, and basically said look my renewal pack states that my employer has informed you that I pay into a non net pay pension scheme and you have asked me to deduct these payments. My contributions are taken after tax etc.
After a lengthy wait she returned and advised as you said above, and said 'well it isnt the typical way'. I agreed, but said that it is still perfectly legal the way it is done and you cant just assume because its through my workplace that it is taken the typical way.

This will happen every year now and I dont know how it will work when I am moved to UC as my employer will still only declare my gross monthly income.

I cant help but feel frustrated about it though. On one hand I was relieved when it read that my employer has informed us that you pay into a non net pay pension scheme so you need to tell us details of your contributions, but on the other I feel like if they can inform the HMRC that I pay into a pension, why cant they also tell them the amount I pay. My TC have gone down by alot, and we have been struggling because the renewal pack takes so long to arrive.

I have a private pension as well as a work place pension. Every year I have to declare it and they ask for evidence so I always ask for a premiums statement from my provider so I've got it ready to send when the inevitable letter arrives asking for evidence. I'd get one sorted if I was you. It usually takes a few months for it all to be sorted, just so you're aware (sorry, it's probably not what you want to hear!).

Not really but it's what I was totally expecting, so thank you @Ahshitehesatitagain. I just couldn't see them accepting my word for it without needing to see the proof.

I have it all ready so will get ready to send

It's the same rigmarole every year. I don't understand why they don't have a pension section on the renewal as surely it's not that uncommon. I've literally just done mine at the weekend so I expect a letter asking for proof over the next six weeks, if I remember rightly it took about another six weeks after that to finalise.