Tax Credit Overpayment advice need please

MissyCBA

Hi

I was claiming tax credits as a single parent and my circumstances changed last July. I notified them by phone that my circumstances had changed and was told that my payments would cease. I was ok with this.

BUT i then received a letter saying that i was overpaid during April to July and i had to pay it all back. I rang them immediately and they said they had not received the renewal form back what was sent out in the March.

I then wrote to them explaining that the form had been sent back, but they wrote back stating i still had to pay the overpayment back!!

I wrote again asking how they can ask me to pay an amount back that they originally said i was entitled to, but never got that question answered in the letter i received back!.

I have been writing to them constantly but am getting nowhere. I have received a letter today saying i AM required to pay the money back and they are not taking my explanation into consideration.

Is there anymore i can do as, although my circumstances have changed, i am not in a position to pay back £1600

HELP

alison999

I think if they dont recieve your renewal then yes you do have to pay back the money.

Im sure someone whos in the know will be along to help soon

In the mean time, chin up

MissyCBA

thanks for that, but how can they expect you to pay something back that they said you were entitled to in the first place? Ive explained the form was sent back and if i'd had known it wouldn't be received, i would've sent it special delivery!! Ive even asked if it could of been mislaid there, but again, they choose not to answer questions i put!

[Deleted User]

TCO only know you are entitled to the payments from April - July if you complete an annual renewal declaration. If you look at the award notices between that time it shows "Provisional award/payments".

Provisional payments are based on estimations.

You have until 31st July to complete the declaration then a further 30 days from the date the renewal is terminated. Failure to provide the requested information in the timescales means you need to pay back all the money from April.

MissyCBA

But i did reply within 30 days and they are still saying i have to pay it back

stclair

You can pay in weekly or monthly installments cant you?

MissyCBA

will they give me that option then to pay over a longer period of time? and do you make the offer to them or do they specify what you have to pay?

stclair

MissyCBA wrote: »

will they give me that option then to pay over a longer period of time? and do you make the offer to them or do they specify what you have to pay?

No they will ask for your income and expenditure and calculate a payment amount from that.

MissyCBA

ah i see. thankyou. Spose im just going to have to pay it back eventhough i dont feel it is through fault of my own

leemack

some of these annual declarations seem to be getting 'lost'. people may want to think about sending them recorded delivery and keeping a copy just in case.

stclair

MissyCBA wrote: »

ah i see. thankyou. Spose im just going to have to pay it back eventhough i dont feel it is through fault of my own

Im sure some one else will be along soon who may be able to give you some more advise.

I hope it all works out for you