Tax Credits Letter/Form received today

[Notthatbad]

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone else has recently received a letter/form to complete like the one I have today.
It says thank you for completing your annual declaration form. We need some more information from you to help us deal with your tax credits claim. Please answer the question below sign the declaration and return this form to the address above. If we do not hear from you by the date we will make a decision based on the information we already have.

Is this a standard thing?

Thanks in advance for your help

Yep, pretty standard. Tax Credits are based on what you earned in the previous tax year. If your earnings in year are radically different then you may be under/overpaid. The annual declaration allows them to check their numbers. If there's any doubt or something's not clear you'll be asked questions.

Keep the letter and a copy of your answers.

Friend of mine did hers by phone aeons ago (her kids are now well into their twenties). Confusion followed over her husband's earnings and HMRC say she was overpaid by a lot.

It's still not sorted.

Thanks for your reply. Oh dear. That sounds horrendous.

Letter says they will make a decision based on the information that they already have.

The income details/answers are still the same so not quite sure why they're asking twice.

Just wondered if it was one of those random type letters that they send out occasionally.

Thanks

I wouldn't worry about it right now. Checking things is routine. Because Tax Credits are calculated on last year's income people who have a significant increase in salary or a bonus 'in year' end up overpaid.

It's one of those things and in most cases it's recovered against the ongoing award or by fiddling with tax codes.

Friend's case was, IIRC, to do with her hubby, who is 20+ years her senior, getting state pension. She's ADHD and can be a bit dippy but she's honest and I believe her on the basics.

Fact it was done by phone so no documentation to cover her arse with is a problem. Plus a rule change that's allowed HMRC to go back further in time than before.