Overpaid Tax Credit Award

Firefly · 4 May 2004 at 4:34PM

I had a bumpy start with my tax credits award and needed the intervention of my MP to sort it out. Eventually they began to pay me money and I notified them three times during the year of increase in pay. My award was adapted accordingly as it was when my son reached 19 (despite being still at college).

Today I have received a letter from them telling me I have been overpaid by £1879.65! HOW? I don't understand!

Obviously I phoned the helpline but all they could do was offer me an appeal pack. I have also tried to contact my MP's office again.

This is awful as I have always kept them informed of my income as asked. I can't see how this can be MY mistake and yet I will be penalised for it.

Any suggestions anyone?

Fran · 4 May 2004 at 4:54PM

I would fill in their appeal pack, contact CAB who will advise and also note your difficulty as part of their Social Policy work, involve your MP and anything else you can think of! Citizens Advice have this to say out of interest:-

http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/prelfull.ihtml?id=0000173

Ted_Hutchinson · 4 May 2004 at 6:13PM

There is code of practice leaflet here

COP26 What happens if we have paid you too much tax credit? http://www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/leaflets/cop26.pdf

WTC/AP
http://www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/pdfs/wtc_ap.pdf
Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit: How to appeal against a tax credit decision or award
This leaflet explains in detail how to make an appeal against a Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit notice.

But you need to make it absolutely clear that you provided correct information as and when necessary and that it is wrong that you should be penalised for what in your mind constitutes "Official Error" It is reasonable to expect them to act in a timely and efficient manner.

I 'm not surprised the CAB are finding problems, I've been worried about handing people at or near the poverty line too much money for a year, and then demanding it back at the year end when there are no reserves to claim it back from. At least Income Support was adjusted regularly through the claim which the Inland Revenue haven't, because of the pressure of work, had the ability to do.

If you need Welfare Rights help arguing your case there is a list of Welfare Rights Providers here http://!!!!!!.com/wrhelp

There are going to be a flood of complaints to MP's over the next few months I predict. Anyone in the same position may care to use http://www.faxyourmp.com

kazi_2 · 4 May 2004 at 6:27PM

I have had the same sort of problem. notified them in June that I was no longer claiming child minder fees as I was no longer paying them, only to find that when I received my new claim forms last week that according to their files they are still paying them. The mind boggles. ???

Firefly · 4 May 2004 at 6:36PM

Thank you Ted. I just can't understand why this happened - perhaps because I found it so hard to understand how they calculated payments which I didn't with Working Families Tax Credit. I knew just where I was then.

This sort of adjustment can have nothing but a negative effect on our already stretched lifestyle.

deronda · 5 May 2004 at 6:01PM

I received what the IR think is a correct award in Jan of this year. I have been overpaid over £3000. The situation has still not yet been sorted as there is not yet a dept to deal with overpayments and errors! The mistake is IR not mine as I spent the last year telling them they had got it wrong.

I am now in the situation where I am waiting to find out if I have to pay it back or if they will "write it off" as it was their error.

You have my simpathy! >:(

FieryBlondeScot · 10 May 2004 at 2:41PM

this also happened to me i owe them over 3grand as well, despite sending a new form in to them telling them my circumstances had changed, their explanation was that they only process ONE application per year and disregard any others!!! i have not got a clue what is happening with them, every time i ring i get a different story like i do owe them the money, i dont owe them the money, i owe them some of it so god knows >:( >:( >:( >:(

Fran · 10 May 2004 at 2:47PM

FieryBlondeScot-

I would suggest a visit to your local Citizens Advice Bureau to see exactly where you stand. It's ridiculous that you get a different story every time!

Ted_Hutchinson · 10 May 2004 at 5:34PM

Might also be an idea if you contacted these folk

http://www.taxaid.org.uk/help.cfm?secnav=20

you can ring in the morning and speak to a qualified professional tax specialist adviser.

FieryBlondeScot · 13 May 2004 at 2:53AM

awhhhhhhh fanx guys :-* will try 1st thing and let u know how i get on

>>>shame on the inland revenue..stressing out single parents the lenght and breadth of the UK

one advisor actually said to me 'look dont worry about it until July.. repayment plans can be drawn up'' ohhhh cheeers not if i can help it!!!

Wishfairy · 14 May 2004 at 8:07PM

:-/ Got my 'overpaid' letter this morning too... anyone know where to find over £2k ???

Overpaid Tax Credit Award

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