Child tax credit, do I apply again for the new tax year?

[littlepinkpear]

We applied for child tax credit in December, but as it was based on previous years earnings (which are very very different to our current situation) we didnt qualify. We asked for a current year assessment and were told we would need to wait until April 2010.

When I called the helpline yesterday, I got a recorded message about update packs being sent but as we didnt qualify last tax year do I start my application again?

Will a pack only be sent if you're in receipt of CTC IYSWIM?

Thanks in advance

You will be sent a renewal pack between now and June 30th - if you don't receive one, call up and chase it.

You can provide your current year income estimate for 2010/11 right now and your award will be recalculated immediately based on the lower income - best you do this asap as it will be paid and calculated from the date you provide the revised figures, with any backdated amounts being paid at the time of next years renewal.

thanks snigger, thought i could do it last year but the person on the phone was less than helpful.

will keep an eye out for it

We wouldn't have been able to take your income estimate for 2010/2011 before Apr 6th as our system only runs up to the current tax year we're in at any given time - now the tax year's begun anew, it's a good time to update if things are different financially, but be aware if you underestimate this tax years income, and it goes up before Apr 5th 2010, you could be overpaid and have to pay it back.