Working Tax Credits want money back

SooBoo21

Due to alot of different reasons, I didn't get my tax credit renewal on time at the end of July. I thought "Oh well, they've not paid us for about 3 months anyway and we're just getting by". The a couple of weeks ago I received 3 different letters from them with demands for 3 different amounts of over payment. They range from £160 all the way to £940. We don't have the money to pay them and when I tried ringing them there was no answer. I tried for days and even left it ringing for over an hour when they said "a representative will answer your call as soon as possible". Its ridiculous that I couldn't get through after that amount of time. I have now been stressed and not sleeping because of this. I want to know why they have sent 3 different amounts out and which one is the right one. And because I missed the deadline it doesn't mean I won't be claiming again when I can. I thought I'd have to wait til next year when the renewals are sent out again.

50Twuncle

SooBoo21 wrote: »

Due to alot of different reasons, I didn't get my tax credit renewal on time at the end of July. I thought "Oh well, they've not paid us for about 3 months anyway and we're just getting by". The a couple of weeks ago I received 3 different letters from them with demands for 3 different amounts of over payment. They range from £160 all the way to £940. We don't have the money to pay them and when I tried ringing them there was no answer. I tried for days and even left it ringing for over an hour when they said "a representative will answer your call as soon as possible". Its ridiculous that I couldn't get through after that amount of time. I have now been stressed and not sleeping because of this. I want to know why they have sent 3 different amounts out and which one is the right one. And because I missed the deadline it doesn't mean I won't be claiming again when I can. I thought I'd have to wait til next year when the renewals are sent out again.

I am in a similar position from 2 years ago - WTC want over £1800 back from me - from just 6 months claims - on account of a mistake by DWP and a small underestimation by myself of our joint income (I estimated £15,500 - true income £17,000 - DWP gave double "tickets" to HMRC showing double the benefits that we actually received ) - but WTC won't accept this !!
I have already used my MP who was unable to understand how WTC get away with it - I received a summons (despite receiving a letter from WTC telling me that any reclaim was being put on hold until the DWP problem was resolved) - but this was all 2 years ago - all that I am waiting for now is the "BILL" for the full amount
We are not claiming at the moment - we did not renew as we are so concerned about the whole idea of WTC
HOW DOES THE HMRC MINISTER ACTUALLY SLEEP AT NIGHT ?

If I could give just one bit of advice - never put in a claim for WTC on the basis of an estimated income !!

System

You need to look at each bill to see which tax years they apply to. In all likely hood they apply to different years and TCO didn't ask for the overpayments because you had a live claim from which they could withhold payment to claw back the overpayments.

Failing to complete the 11/12 annual declaration means you have cause the termination of your claim and so they want the money back from you directly.

If you look back over your award notices you should be able to see where they previoulsy told you that you had been overpaid and how, at that time, they intended to recover them.

If you want to dispute the overpayments then firstly write to them for a full explanation as to how they arose and then armed with that information you can write to them to dispute their explanation.

TCO usually suspend recovery of an overpayment whilst a dispute is being looked at.

SooBoo21

If I could just talk to some one on the phone at their office it would be a start. Why won't they answer their phones!!!! If they're not in the office, then they should say that your call cannot be taken and save me wasting loads of time on hold in the hope someone will answer it.

missminx

Get a new application in for this current year. The amount will be for payments received since April, most likely because you didn't renew then your last claim ran out in April and the new one started. If you don't plan to renew, you need to tell them before they continue to pay you. If you can't speak to them on the phone, try sending your renewal back late and see what they do?

Notmyrealname

SooBoo21 wrote: »

Due to alot of different reasons, I didn't get my tax credit renewal on time at the end of July. I thought "Oh well, they've not paid us for about 3 months anyway and we're just getting by". The a couple of weeks ago I received 3 different letters from them with demands for 3 different amounts of over payment. They range from £160 all the way to £940. We don't have the money to pay them and when I tried ringing them there was no answer. I tried for days and even left it ringing for over an hour when they said "a representative will answer your call as soon as possible". Its ridiculous that I couldn't get through after that amount of time. I have now been stressed and not sleeping because of this. I want to know why they have sent 3 different amounts out and which one is the right one. And because I missed the deadline it doesn't mean I won't be claiming again when I can. I thought I'd have to wait til next year when the renewals are sent out again.

Part of the renewal is confirming last years income. You haven't so they want the money back.

Notmyrealname

21Twinkle wrote: »

HOW DOES THE HMRC MINISTER ACTUALLY SLEEP AT NIGHT ?

If I could give just one bit of advice - never put in a claim for WTC on the basis of an estimated income !!

So you make a !!!! up by not informing them of the updated income estimate when it became obvious the original was too low and it is HMRC's fault?

And the OP who apparently in the 8 weeks they had their renewal notice couldn't find 5 minutes to fill it in and post it back.

If you both can't sleep because of it, maybe you should look at who is really to blame....