Tax credits examinations.

wannabehermit

Today I've received a letter from HMRC - a "Notice under the Tax Credits Act 2002 section 16(3) (a)". They've stated that they have selected our claim for review and want us to provide evidence relating to our childcare costs.

I'm wondering why we've been selected. I've read the relevant section on the HMRC website and I understand that they are investigating as to whether we are entitled to the amount that we claim, but I'm wondering why our claim in particular has flagged up. Is it completely random that a certain amount of claims each year are selected for review? Is it because the amount we are claiming is quite high so claims over x amount are always sent for review? Or do they believe that we are claiming fraudulently?

I'm not necessarily concerned as they have been informed of every change throughout the year and I have not told them that I am paying more childcare than I actually am (they're actually underpaying me if anything due to childcare having crept up by a few pound here and there over the last year). What I am concerned about however is if they believe I am making a fraudulent claim, and I'd like to know if this is the case why they have come to this conclusion.

It's really frustrating that they send this out a few days before Christmas and the department in question is only open for a few hours Monday - Friday so I'm not going to be able to get any more information from them for a while.

Anyone else had one of these or does anyone have any more information on why they are sent out at all?

Thanks

NotSuchASmugMarriedNow

i haven't had a tax credit check but i was once selected for a self employed tax return check.

i believe it's random and that they have to select a certain percentage of claims ever year to audit. Nothing more sinister than that, hopefully.

wannabehermit

Thank you. Hopefully that is all it is. My main concern with it is the tone of the letter, it's a bit more stern than the usual standard letter.

plum2002

If they had reason to believe you were claiming fraudelently (sp) they would have stopped your payments first and asked questions after - generally anyway. I suspect its routine, so don't worry about it.

sandss

We had one of these in November. I was really anxious about it but we sent everything off, it only took two weeks and all was ok.

I think they are just random checks so don't worry. Just send absolutely everything and it should be fine.