Hi Lis I can only speak about my own experience but HMRC are only interested in the years they have quoted on the letters they have sent you HMRC look to recover the money owed they do not go down the road of prosecution unless it is very serious. When it happened to me I cooperated with them but I did not volunteer any information I think this is where I got it right and others get it wrong if you offer them additional information or admit more than they are asking for then they have to investigate further which means much greater trouble and cost for you. I found the CAB a waste of time so I decided to write to HMRC "dont ring them stick to writing" and just confirmed that there records were correct I did now have a the mentioned person living with me I did not mention how long or when he moved in nothing I just said sorry for not letting them know and could I make a joint claim already knowing that our income was over the TC limit. I think if most people stick to doing this they will be ok I did not even get charged a penalty I have to pay back 12 months plus the 16 weeks they continued to pay me while I was waiting to see what they were going to do, the only time I rang them was when it was clear what they were going to do so I could discuss a payment plan and I have been paying them back for just over 13 months now. Just stick to the years they have asked about admit their records are correct dont mention moving in dates or how long he has been with you just say sorry and you want to make amends and you should be ok also remember they take ages to come back to you so dont worry if you have not heard. Good Luck

Hi There Firstly dont worry I know it is easier said than done believe me, secondly count your lucky stars you have been caught now and not after April next year as you would be dealing with DWP which is going to mean prosecutions for a lot of people in the very near future so anybody who is claiming TC now who should not be get off them now while you still have a chance. Your problem firstly do not offer them any information they do not ask for so dont tell them anything other than 2011/2012 this is all they are interested in just write to them and tell them that their records are correct you do have a partner living with you and you are sorry and want to make amends and that is all you can add a few things like you were going to tell them but other circumstances got in the way they have heard them all. They will then write to you and tell you that they are not happy with your answer and therefore they are going to back date your TC to the start of 2011/2012. You will then receive a notification of what you owe with 30 days to appeal, dont appeal because they really do then start digging. Once the 30 days are up you receive a bill which you then have 30 days to pay if you are no longer entitled to TC you then contact them and arrange a payment plan. If you are entitled to TC they will calculate your money and deduct the over payment from your TC. And that is it, once you have written to them it will take them 12 to 16 weeks to come back to you so dont worry if you think its taking to long. I hope this helps good look and all the best

Hi, Firstly dont worry I know it is easy to say as ive been there and done that believe me, I had a letter a few months ago the same the problem for me was me and my partner have been together for years on and off with him registered at the address all this time and my letter was for 2011/2012 we have now finally received a response and we will have to pay all of 2011 & 2012 back as well as the remainder of 2012 since April. We are just waiting to see if we have to pay a 30% penalty which will make the final bill 14k as they can only charge a max of 3k which they will, to be honest im glad it could have been a hell of allot worse if they had decided to dig like going back to 2002. My advice to you is simple don't mention anything before 2011/2012 and im pretty confident this is all they will be looking at just let them get on with it and you will receive a letter from the compliance team in the future saying they have completed their checks and will be calculating your over payment you will then receive a letter to advise the over payment. I hope this helps & good luck

Hi Sorry about your Grandad, its horrible when you loose someone you love and is good to you I have written to them and so far admitted what I have done and apologised, I will wait and see what questions they come back with and take it from there. Good Luck and all the best

Thank you for you note it has given me some food for thought Im terrified and know this is going to destroy us

Thank you for your advice it is so much appreciated, we have spoken to his mother this weekend and she does already pay full council tax as his brother lives there and she is still working and would confirm on his behalf if it came to that I just hope it doesn't im at my witts end and have never felt so ashamed and lost with not knowing which way to turn in my life.

Thank you so much although my mind is not at rest you have made me feel a little better did they ask to interview you? thank you

Hi Can someone please help or advise!!!!!!, I have been claiming Tax credits for years as a single parent with my partner actually living with me, God I know how stupid this has been we both work anc claim nothing else.I received a letter from HMRC on Friday regarding my award for 2011 - 2012 and have stated they know my partner is at the address and why we have not made a joint claim.Im sick with worry and its making me ill I have not slept since receiving the leter, basically my partner ownes the house we live in he pays the mortgage, council tax, water, house insurances, tv license and I pay the gas, electric, phone, food.Im not sure how after all these years they have finally caught up with us but they have so im going to tell them that me and my partner have had a stormy relationship and he has not been living with me for years although he has paid the above mentioned bills for the sake of the kids and he has basically been living at his mothers on and off. Im going to tell them he moved back in last September as we have decided to give it a go although this is all not quite true but I dont know what else to do as the amout we could end up paying back could kill us if they go back that far.Im going to the CAB tomorrow to see if they can help all we want to do now is get off this system pay back something and get on with our lives.Please can someone help do you know how far back they go and what would be their next move if I submit this side of the story.I know I have done wrong and god im so sorry for that Please please please help or advise the best course of action as I dont want to pay 60 or 70k back and I would rather die than go to prison