Tax credits fraud.

Icequeen1

As others have said, it is unlikely they will take further action other than ask for all of the money to be paid back and potentially give you a penalty. Your mental health is a critical factor here and you need to make them aware of that. They have a specialist team called extra support team, and you should ask if they can be involved to help you. You should also get some help from CAB to guide you through it all. 
There is something called notional offsetting in tax credits, where you can reduce the debt by offsetting what you would have received if you made the proper claim (i.e. with your partner). However, it isn't available in cases of deliberate error - which it sounds like this is. 
HMRC can certainly look back at 2019/20. They may be just in time to open an enquiry into 2018/19 - but if they do that they would have to write to you. Anything before that, they could only look at under a different set of powers if they can show fraud or negligence on your part. It sounds from what you have said they are currently only looking at 2020/21 and possibly 19/20 (you would need to tell us the exact wording of the letter) but they may then go back further. 
You need tell them the truth which is (a) the date you become a couple for tax credit purposes and (b) why you didn't inform them. The problem is, initially you just failed to report a change. But once you renewed your claim, you made an incorrect claim as a single person. 
It is highly unlikely you will be prosecuted, but i guess no-one can rule that out with absolutely certainty. Honesty going forward is the only way to resolve this situation. 

mad_spaniel

There is an identical thread of numerous pages on Mumsnet, with duplicate advice given.

Alice_Holt

waffledog30 said:

Iv decided I’m going to ring tomorrow and just admit everything.

    Very sensible.
   As poppy has said only making a partial admission will undoubtedly cause you much more grief.

   Once you have told HMRC  I would (also) suggest you then contact Stepchange (or another debt charity). They can help you put together a budget income / expenditure sheet, and help you negotiate a repayment plan with HMRC. As a debt charity, they can also help you deal with other debts in your name.   
https://www.stepchange.org/debt-info/tax-credit-overpayments.aspx
https://revenuebenefits.org.uk/tax-credits/guidance/how-to-deal-with-hmrc/dealing-with-debt/
https://www.debtsupporttrust.org.uk/

 Do get in touch with your GP / health professional, and see what help with can get with your anxiety / mental health.   
Other sources of help, include MIND:
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/money-and-mental-health/money-and-mental-health/
https://www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/rights-restrictions/money-benefits-and-employment/debt-and-money-management/
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/d/debt-and-mental-health

waffledog30

Thank you, 

so you suggest just ringing tomorrow and explaining that I failed to tell them that I moved in with my partner in 2016. I will also ask to speak to the extra support team. 

Thank you

poppy12345

waffledog30 said:

Thank you, 

so you suggest just ringing tomorrow and explaining that I failed to tell them that I moved in with my partner in 2016.

Yes..

waffledog30

Thank you, I’m nervous but just want to get it over with now and start paying it back. 

poppy12345

You should also talk to your partner because keeping this from them isn't going to help you.

waffledog30

I am going too once iv spoken to tax credits z

ames1010

mad_spaniel said:

There is an identical thread of numerous pages on Mumsnet, with duplicate advice given.

And??? So what! Desperate times lead to desperate measures. Why are you even commenting without ADVICE. It stipulates very clearly on this forum that this is not for judgement but for advice. I would stick to mumsnet if you are not going to offer support on this forum. 

OP- please take a deep breath, make that phone call tomorrow and please let us know how you get on. Do ring the doctors too and when you are ready, you must tell your partner but I suggest doing that tomorrow too- the worrying, and trying to do this alone really isn’t helping. 

All the best. 

waffledog30

So I’m going to ring tomorrow and just say that I want to confess to not reporting a change of circumstances? 

Can someone tell me how you would start the conversation. My anxiety is so high.