31 July 2014

HMRC give extra time for tax credit renewals

Many tax credits claimants have to renew their claim by 31 July. Due to industrial action on 30, 31 July and 1 August by the Public and Commercial  Services Union, HMRC have extended the deadline so claimants now have until 10pm, Wednesday 6 August to complete their renewal.

Each year, tax credits claimants receive a renewal pack from HMRC. The renewals process does two things: it finalises the claim for the tax year that has just ended (2013/14) and it acts as a claim for the new tax year (2014/15). Claimants will either receive a:

  • A4 White envelope – this is a reply required renewal and means the claimant needs to renew their claim by completing their annual declaration form by 31 July (now 6 August). Claimants can complete the process by phone, by post and for the first time this year online via GOV.UK. Claimants who receive an annual declaration with the code TC603D2 or who need to change bank details must renew by phone or post).

  • A5 Brown envelope – this is an auto-renewal which means that the claimant only needs to contact HMRC if something is wrong, missing or incomplete on the form. Otherwise, HMRC will renew the claim automatically. Any changes to income or circumstances that need to be reported can only be done by phone or post.

Even if you no longer want to claim or think you are no longer entitled, if you have claimed tax credits at all during the 2013/14 tax year you will still be included in the renewal exercise and will need to make sure you follow HMRC’s instructions to complete and finalise your claim for the previous year.

Those seeking to renew by phone may experience delays due to the very high number of calls this week and HMRC are encouraging claimants to seek alternative methods where possible. These include online at www.gov.uk/renewtaxcredits, by paper or by using the new Intelligent Telephony Automation (ITA) service, which uses speech recognition technology to capture customers' renewals. Claimants can access ITA by ringing the tax credits helpline number - 0345 300 3900 - and saying 'Renewals' when prompted.

You can find out more about the renewals process in our main tax credits section.