Tax credit renewal query

WYSPECIAL

Hi,

I got sent a TC603R again this year. The figures they got for my taxable income was correct but then they didn't allow for my Stakeholder Pension contributions or take into account the dividends I got for some shares I hold so I had to follow the "spotted something wrong" section

I sent the correct figure via the tax credit renewals online facility as instructed.

I have now had a letter, TC1221, saying they have noticed there is a difference between the figure I entered online and my P60 figure so they will be using the P60 figure.

Is this normal?

Seems to make a farce of the online renewal if it is.

Icequeen99

Does the letter ask you to contact them if there is a reason for the discrepancy?

IQ

WYSPECIAL

The letter says to contact them only if I disagree otherwise they will use their figures to finalise 2014-15 claim.

It seems farcical as the original TC603R only requires you to let them know actual figures if the figures on it are wrong which is what I did as they hadn't included income from savings or deducted pension contributions. They have reverted back to using the figures on TC603R!

Icequeen99

WYSPECIAL wrote: »

The letter says to contact them only if I disagree otherwise they will use their figures to finalise 2014-15 claim.

It seems farcical as the original TC603R only requires you to let them know actual figures if the figures on it are wrong which is what I did as they hadn't included income from savings or deducted pension contributions. They have reverted back to using the figures on TC603R!

You're absolutely right, it is a ridiculous process. Can you come back and let us know how you get on when you contact them?

IQ

densol_2

This is typical Tax credits ! Relying on RTI information and not what is reality. I'm the same with a trading loss. They wrote to me and I did reply advising the correct figure. They still sent a final award based on " their " figures. I then had to send off a mandatory reconsideration and it's being looked at now. Honestly it's a complete joke - the renewal form is highly inadequate - even if you telephone they still get it wrong !

WYSPECIAL

Icequeen99 wrote: »

You're absolutely right, it is a ridiculous process. Can you come back and let us know how you get on when you contact them?

IQ

Will do. I have just written to them as it does say they can't accept information over the phone. I have sent them evidence of my stakeholder pension payments but haven't bothered to send them details of the investment income as that cuts down my award so presumably they will just believe me!

What is really daft is the difference in income is about £550 per year and the difference it makes to my award, according to https://www.entitledto.com, is about £200 per year and I only filled in the online figures as the TC603R said you had to. Registering with Experian for the identity check was a nightmare!

WYSPECIAL

Well I got the final decision letter for 2014-15 and the initial decision letter for 2015-16 at the same time which was only a couple of days after i received the letter saying they weren't using the figures I sent them.

They have now returned my stakeholder pension statement with a letter saying they will send a new assessment. Not got it yet but I have been paid a small mid week payment which is presumably to finalise last years claim and my standard weekly payment has gone up very slightly.

They have clearly acted on the information I sent them but if they need evidence of pension contributions not made via your employer surely it would be quicker, and cheaper, to request them at the time you complete your renewal rather than ignoring them and reverting back to the figures on the TC603R?

Other thing that seems slow is every letter I get from them seems to be dated nearly a week before I get it.