18 May 2015

HMRC tax credits on line renewal service

For 2014/15 tax credit renewals, the instructions on the GOV.UK website mean claimants wishing to renew on-line need to follow the trial identity assurance system called GOV.UK Verify. The Verify system relies largely on credit history data to confirm a person’s identity but as it is still in a trial phase and does not yet work adequately for everyone, HMRC are running an alternative facility so that claimants who can’t use the Verify system at the time they renew (for instance because they don’t have the necessary bank/credit card statements to hand) can still renew on-line, directly with HMRC.

Claimants will still need to follow the initial few steps of the standard on-line renewal instructions on the GOV.UK website (https://www.gov.uk/renewtaxcredits) before they reach the option where they can select to ‘renew on-line directly with HMRC'.