We need to check your tax credit claim.

[Tax credit enquiries 22]

Sorry  to trouble people.

I received a letter “We need to check your tax credits claim” 2020-21 from Hmrc. 

It asks for bank statements Jan-Mar 2021, P60, P45 for both me and my wife, she doesn’t work. Plus wage slips

I have three boys oldest 17, all still in educations, they are asking for proof also that my eldest in still in school, he is but unsure why asking, that is no issue.

 

I lost my job after covid may 20 and started a new job Apr 21, I assumed , as I was paying tax , NI etc to HMRC directly at source (PAYE) they would amend it.

 

They didn’t.

I worked there From Apr 21 til June 22, I don’t anymore. 

 

I have this letter from them and they are saying I need to supply all documents by 27^th November.

At end they mention if anything I wish for them to take into account where they may consider a penalty please let them know.

Also if they suspect me of criminal offence they may carry put an investigation. Is this a standard letter.? Very scary.

 

I admit it was my error and I should have notified them, however, after being out of work for 9 months and with covid we left it.

Stupid.

 

I can send them my P45 and P60, wage slips etc (they must know exactly anyway as I was PAYE) , this will disqualify me from credits, but I am happy to pay back as compared to stress a result. They say we got £9,000 of tax credits 20/21.

 

I don’t want to give them my bank statements as had help from parents with income plus I collect football memorabilia and was selling items to make ends meet on eBay, but these are /were my own personal collection.

If I have to send them these I can but prefer not as will drag it on as will have to explain it all.

 

Should I fill in the form they sent and send all the details they want, P45, P60, proof for sons school, wage slips etc. and leave bank statements off.

 

I guess once they get this they will demand the £9,000 back, just happy to close it and then set up a payment plan.

 

Would this be ok?

[dx100uk]

32 minutes ago, Tax credit enquiries 22 said:

had help from parents with income plus I collect football memorabilia and was selling items to make ends meet on eBay, but these are /were my own personal collection.

 

its still undeclared income.

 

dx

 

[Tax credit enquiries 22]

Understand. 
Should I send everything in then?

They eBay stuff is not much and only got what I paid for it when I bought it . Old football shirts etc.

 

If I sent everything else would they chase bank statements. Never thought about it as it was stuff I bought and then sold for no profit. Only sold £50 per week.

 

if they can legally request them I guess I must 

 

just wanted it over quicker as can’t eat and sleep 

 

kind regards 

[dx100uk]

Just be honest.

Stop panicking, they are quite fair and will if you need to pay it back it will be in small payments.

 

Have a read of a few HMRC phone investigation threads here already.

 

Dx

[cenk102]

Does £9k include child tax credits,

if you were not working but were claiming working tax credits and child tax credit,

you would still be eligible for child tax credits.

 

Im sure they would want working tax credit back, which is around £4k for couple..

Edited November 8, 2022 by dx100uk
unnecessary previous post quote removed

[Tax credit enquiries 22]

Thanks. It says just child tax credit on my  online account doesn’t mention working tax credit . It goes into my wives account. She does not work and never claimed  job seekers. I guess why they are checking my eldest is still in education , which he is 100%. Just the job I had was well over the allowed threshold . Not working now. 
i just assumed they would stop when over the amount but didn’t. 
 

They asked for proof my eldest is in school months ago and I am sure we sent but maybe we didn’t . 
 

once I send P60 I guess I will have to refund it all.

 

my fault just worrying. 

[cenk102]

How much did you earn in 20/21?

 

Was it more than £20k

[Tax credit enquiries 22]

Yes double that 

little was supposed to be for two months but kept getting extended 

[cenk102]

Oh ok, will have to pay it all back then..

 

If you not workin now you eligible for universal credits.

[Tax credit enquiries 22]

Thanks , am I not entitled to it up until the point I breached the threshold? Guess not.

not looking forward to sending information off. Expecting people knocking on door as it is! Thanks, will sort this before I try universal credit. Kind regards 

[dx100uk]

people knocking on door??

 

dx

 

[Tax credit enquiries 22]

Hmrc , compliance officers or bailiffs etc. 

[honeybee13]

Please slow down, you're overthinking this.

 

We've never had someone with tax credit queries have people turn up at the door. As others have said, tell the truth to HMRC and let them work out the figures. If you have been overpaid, they'll let you repay it at an affordable rate.

 

HB

[Tax credit enquiries 22]

 

Thanks, just a worry.
Will send everything in everything and see. Will send tomorrow, may not send bank statements Straight away but if they write back and ask will send then. 
just uncomfortable sending bank statements.

I suppose they don’t need them anyway as once they see p60 and payslips I am well over anyway so makes no real difference I guess. They will be taking all back regardless I assume .

won’t be doing it again and dreading their reply!!

Kind regards 

[whitelist]

Years ago had an overpayment with Housing Benefit plus a few loans through Universal Credit. Originally did not declare my occupational pension taken at 55. Honest mistake on my part never claiming benefits before but was technically of failure to report a change in circumstances. To be fair they were very good and set up a monthly direct debit after an income and expenditure assessment. They are not out to crucify the average claimant as theu recognise honest mistakes happen. They are more interested in the professional fraudster. Nine times out of ten all that wil happen is pay back any overpayment with comfortable amounts. As stated previously, be honest as they already know the answers to any questions they ask.

[Tax credit enquiries 22]

Thanks, getting all documents together and will post off this week. I just assumed they know my pay as it was PAYE and they would adjust accordingly. Guess I will end up with an overpayment and hopefully agree an affordable monthly amount.

Will know next time, just very worrying and stressful, glad when its over

 

[whitelist]

It will either be a repayment schedule or they will simply alter your tax code so you pay it back via paying a little more tax through your income.