Tax credits overpayment help!

docfrankenstein

Hi everyone - Im hoping someone on here can help..

Ive recently received a letter from Tax credits saying I was overpaid £2000 in 2009 . This is the first notification from them ever mentioning it.

I rang them up and they say that in 2009 I phoned them and told them that my partner and I had split (which was the case), that they updated the file and sent out a new declaration stating the above.

They say however, that because this form was never received back signed from myself that it was never actioned, hence the overpayment.

Now Ive said that if that is the case, Im more than happy to sign the form now stating that the above is true, however they have said that they have 'finalised' that years accounts and they cannot be ammended, so I have to pay.
My arguement is that I was never told I would have to sign and return any declaration, I told them the full details over the phone. Also surely they cant just ask after 3+ years for the amount having never mentioned it before? Also Im dyslexic and was claiming a learning disability allowance at that time, so they know that form filling etc is not something I am particularly capable of.
Also how can they just 'finalise' a year and say that the figures are final?

can anyone help??

dundeediva

It sounds like the renewal wasn't done back then. You basically have 2 options at this stage, you can either pay them back or fill in a dispute form if you think the op was HMRCs fault. You can download it from their website of ask them for one. Good luck