Tax Credits help line - Alternative number is ...

richelleking

01355-359 007

... seems to beat the queues on the usual 0845 300 3900 Tax Credits Help Line (Annual Reviews etc.).

It is the "From outside the UK" alternative number and is a Scotland number.

bitsandpieces

I need to tell the IRS about my earnings last year, re my tax credits claim, and the deadline is July 31st. They suggested before that I do this by phone - but I've been trying since yesterday, and invariably get a message saying that, due to high call volume, they can't take my call

Any suggestions? Are they going to stop my tax credits if I don't get through (even if it's cause they're not answering the sodding phone :eek:)

lighton

they will do .Just keep trying . Im sure your get through in the end .They stopped my daughters last year and she had done it .But they hadnt logged it properly. you have today and tomorrow .Can you do it online ?Im not sure.

jay1jay

You can't renew your claim online. The helpline is open 8 til 8, so just keep trying. I've heard it is easier to get through if you call when corrie & eatenders are on, but not sure if thats true! There are literally hundreds of helpline operators, and if you are not getting through its because every one of them is busy on another call, and not because they are choosing not to answer your call. Yes, they will stop your tax credit payments if you don't renew in time. Its best to renew your claim as early as possible, as so many people wait until the last few days that there is bound to be difficulties in getting through to the helpline.

bitsandpieces

Now on hold for an advisor. For once, I almost feel glad to be on hold...

lighton

bitsandpieces wrote: »

Now on hold for an advisor. For once, I almost feel glad to be on hold...

That made me laugh hope you get through ok , i know smetimes it takes ages to get p60 so impossible to do it before

SuziQ

Apparently they are currently open until 10pm-this was posted here a couple of days ago. I kept getting the high traffic message-ring back another time a couple of weeks ago it was so busy-at least if you're in the queue you know you will get answered. I believe it's free as well?

bitsandpieces

head.desk. I got through but (my own fault, tbh) was missing a bit of info they wanted. Now I have to call back.

It's an 0845 number (though calling the 2890 538 192 number for international calls is 1.2p/minute with skype). Again, they're not answering. Surely at least they could put people on hold, or arrange a callback?

EDIT woot - got through now, and it's sorted

System

bitsandpieces wrote: »

head.desk. I got through but (my own fault, tbh) was missing a bit of info they wanted. Now I have to call back.

It's an 0845 number (though calling the 2890 538 192 number for international calls is 1.2p/minute with skype). Again, they're not answering. Surely at least they could put people on hold, or arrange a callback?

EDIT woot - got through now, and it's sorted

Ringing 02890 538 192 (or +44 2890 538 192) gets you through to the Belfast Contact Centre so it's a UK number.

[Deleted User]

lighton wrote: »

That made me laugh hope you get through ok , i know smetimes it takes ages to get p60 so impossible to do it before

It is possible to complete the declaration straight away as soon as you receive it. You can use your "pay to date" figure on the last payslip you receive in the financial year (usually March payslip).

The lines are extremely busy due to the number of people who wait until the last few days before the deadline.

The lines are open from 7.45am as some advisers are starting a bit early.
They then close at 10pm as some advisers are working overtime.

bitsandpieces

subsoniccoyote wrote: »

It is possible to complete the declaration straight away as soon as you receive it. You can use your "pay to date" figure on the last payslip you receive in the financial year (usually March payslip).

Usually, yes, I've only just been paid for a project (with payment on completion) which I worked on both the previous tax year and part of this one... So I couldn't know exactly what my earnings would be all that far in advance