Tax credits balls up....advice needed please

flipper540

Dear Everyone,

Try and cut a long story short.

I Have been claiming Child tax credits and working tax credits for approx 4 years, but found out yesterday I possibly shouldn't have been receiving them. I am a self employed taxi driver. This has all come about because my ex partner has put in a claim and they said SHE cant have any because I was already claiming. My son stays overnight with me for over a third of the year, BUT this doesnt matter. Basically, his Mum is the main carer but I have been down as the main carer according to them. However, over three years ago I had written several letters to the tco and informed them that i was no longer the main carer for my child. I have this saved on my computer. I also had asked them a few times to actually STOP my credits being paid, all letters saved on my computer. Where do I stand with this? And what is likely to happen? Surely it is a mistake on their behalf as letters were sent over three years ago??

They have now amended my account and all payments are stopped, but I'm sure the lady at the Tax Credit office said nothing will happen until next April as this year is already closed. And any overpayment, of which there almost definitely IS would have to be paid back. Is this true also?? Even if they have my letters in their files.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

sparkle03

Dear Everyone,

Try and cut a long story short.

I Have been claiming Child tax credits and working tax credits for approx 4 years, but found out yesterday I possibly shouldn't have been receiving them. I am a self employed taxi driver. This has all come about because my ex partner has put in a claim and they said SHE cant have any because I was already claiming. My son stays overnight with me for over a third of the year, BUT this doesnt matter. Basically, his Mum is the main carer but I have been down as the main carer according to them. However, over three years ago I had written several letters to the tco and informed them that i was no longer the main carer for my child.
Sorry this may just be me, but did you not question why you were still getting paid even though you were no longer the main carer? Also you need to do a renewal every year and you must tell them about any changes - Im sure one of them being 'if someone comes to live with you or moves out of your home'

I have this saved on my computer. I also had asked them a few times to actually STOP my credits being paid, all letters saved on my computer. Where do I stand with this? And what is likely to happen? Surely it is a mistake on their behalf as letters were sent over three years ago??

Do you just have the letters saved on your computer? No recorded delivery receipts? Im not saying you did but unless you can prove they were wrote three years ago then someone can say you wrote them 10 minutes ago.

Also if you asked them to stop, you should have made sure you got written confirmation and when it didnt arrive telephone - most calls are now recorded

Failing that put the money to one side so you wouldnt be left with an over payment bill April next year.

They have now amended my account and all payments are stopped, but I'm sure the lady at the Tax Credit office said nothing will happen until next April as this year is already closed. And any overpayment, of which there almost definitely IS would have to be paid back. Is this true also?? Even if they have my letters in their files.

If they have your letters on their files then you shouldnt have anything to worry about but if there is no record of these letters then you probably need to pay it all back

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Sorry if any of that sounds harsh, just my opinion and only questions that are likely to come up next year when you say you sent them letters over three years ago.

flipper540

Thanks Sparkle. I know it all seems black and white and maybe I should have questioned why I was still being paid. About the letters, i know they could say I have written them ten mins ago, as I do not have any recorded delivery receipts BUT when I hover the mouse over the document in Microsoft word it shows when they were last amended. Thanks for your starightforward reply. I await their letters I suppose.

sparkle03

I am sorry if any of it sounded harsh or a bit too straight forward, I dont really think anyone can answer your queries though until you find out from the tax credits people where you stand.

I know its not much but is there any way of taking a screen shot with the 'last ammended' info on there showing when that was? And then either printing them off or cutting them to cd, or even emailing them to yourself. I hate to put the thought there but if anything was to happen to your computer between now and when they contact you, you wouldnt really have much to go on.

I hope it all works out for you, Good Luck.