specialist team for tax credits renewal (merged)

Lucee

Quote from the HMRC website:

Help with your tax credits renewal letter – what you need to do
You may have got a letter from the Tax Credit Office with the heading 'Help with your Tax Credit Renewal'. This letter offers you help with renewing your tax credits claim. It asks you to call one of the specialist tax credits teams.
Please be reassured that the letter is genuine. It has been sent out by the Tax Credit Office as part of a specific piece of work to help:

• you report the right details when you renew your tax credits
• the Tax Credit Office make sure you’re being paid the right amount of tax credits

What you need to do if you get one of these letters

If you have got one of these letters please call the number given as soon as you receive your renewal pack. You will be able to speak to an adviser who will help you to check the details on your renewal.

rightmadam

I would just like it confirmed why only certain people have been selected to have this letter.No-one i know as had this letter and i know loads on tax credits so find this all really odd how i seem to be the only one in my area who's had the letter.There are so many different inland revenue advisors who have different ideas on this scheme,e.g,going through equifax to identify you,advising its to those who have high claims,i would nt class mine as really high so how do they pick you and not others!!

ellasmummy_2

maybe tax credit help may read this and explain how people were chosen to receive this letter and is this a specific investigation team who think they have all been overpaid last year.

Lucee

Hi Rightmadam

When I rang the TC helpline in Jan to inform them that my Childcare had gone down I was amazed that they checked my identity with equifax, I had to confirm who I had my Mobile phone account with, once done they then asked me some random security questions like favourite colour and the colour of my first car.

I have already set up my details using equifax so I don't think that is the reason.

As I previously stated the HMRC have to hit a target set by the government to reduce error and fraud - I suspect this is the real reason behind the letters. Maybe they have targeted people whose circumstances could lead to more errors or fraud i.e Childcare or self employment, and perhaps those whose claims are above a certain limit. This could be due to the sheer complexity of an individuals circumstances. I struggle at the best of times to work out my average childcare costs and I work in accounts!

We may never know but as long as we are 100% honest with them then it shouldn't really be a cause for concern? I have been through a tax credit enquiry and it was traumatic and they found nothing wrong, BUT they are only usually opened once you have completed a year not when you are completing it.

We have enough stress in our lives - don't let tax credits be another one!

Lucee x

tigershell

i have read a lot of the posts on here and it seems majority seem to think they are targetting those with high credit claims i dont think mine is high what is the average cost of childcare shell x

harry7075

We have no childcare costs!

rightmadam

Thanks for that Lucee.x

Like us all on here we have nothing to hide as my childcare is correct,my wages are correct and my review last year proved that even though it was a horrible experience but i just think we are all just a little surprised by the letter and wondering why we ve been chosen and not everyone and after a full review last year and the fact my payments are not high just curious how they choose you to ring this specialist line because anyone can make a one off genuine error,i see it everyday in my job so just think everyone should ring this line if they are just trying to reduce fraud and errors!

tashmatthews

Hi

Wondering if anyone has had the same as me

Got my annual delcaration in the post this week so I rang and confirme details to the exact infact over as my partner had just completed his SE Tax form online so we had exact figures

I then got a phone call less than 20 mins ago as in I RECEIVED and didnt phone from the Tax Credit Office asking for all of my details ie name address telephone number ages and dobs of children and whether I was on any benefits etc

They did not ask for income

I have 5 children 2 of whom unfortunately are in receipt of DLA so my claim may be higher than the norm, however seeing as I have already given my figure why is he asking if am receiving benefits or working or partner when I only rang yesterday giving details, ie SE earnings for this year as well as last and Carers Allownce which we get!! And then asking are there any other benefits? Which they are not? This made it quite clear to me they were checking up on something for which I have no idea

I always ring them and inform them of even the tiniest change as I cant stand overpayments

Has anyone else received a call checking to see if they have the right details etc?

Am now confused as to why I received a call!!

Thinking after I had given the details this could have been anybody as I did not have to give my NI Number, should I ring the TC office and ask whether they have tried calling me?

Thankyou

tigershell

i did have a extra payment of tax credits last week i thought it was due to them just getting straight as it was end of tax year maybe thats why i got the letter as anyone els had a extra payment shell x

rightmadam

No shell i have nt had a ny extra payments from them!x