Can you backdate family tax credits?

Child Tax Credit can be backdated for up to 31 days if you would have been entitled to it earlier. Most backdating for Child Tax Credit happens automatically. The notes that come with the claim form explain when you will need to send a letter asking for the extra 31 days backdating.

Why did I get an extra payment from tax credits?

Overpayments occur when you receive more tax credits than you are entitled to for the year. HMRC may decide you were not entitled to payments of tax credits they have already made to you, that will also create an overpayment.

Child Tax Credit can be backdated for up to 31 days if you would have been entitled to it earlier. It does not matter why your claim is late. You can request backdating by including a letter with your claim form. Most backdating for Child Tax Credit happens automatically.

Can a tax credit overpayment be written off?

Tax credit overpayments can only be written off if HMRC have made a mistake themselves. HMRC might agree to write off some of what you owe, but this will only happen if you’ve been paying off the overpayment for a very long period of time (over 10 years).

How to pay back a child tax credit overpayment?

If you can’t find your overpayment letter, call the tax credits helpline to find out how HMRC want you to pay the overpayment back. Relay UK – if you can’t hear or speak on the phone, you can type what you want to say: 18001 then 0345 300 3900 You can use Relay UK with an app or a textphone. There’s no extra charge to use it.

Where to get legal advice for overpaid tax credits?

» Told I owe back £4,500 overpaid tax credits!! This is page 1 of 1 (This thread has 15 messages.) Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. Free legal advice is available from a Citizen’s Advice Bureau, and the Law Society can supply a list of local solicitors.

What happens to my tax credits when I pay them back?

Your tax credits will be reduced from the date written on the overpayment letter. They’ll go back to the full amount once the overpayment has been paid. If HMRC has asked you to pay them directly – known as ‘direct recovery’ – and you can afford the repayments, see GOV.UK for ways to pay.