People in the UK claiming tax credits are urged to renew their claims by 31st July 2017 or face their payments being stopped.
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has revealed that 960,000 tax credit claimants are yet to renew their claims.
Last year 410,000 customers had their payments stopped or altered because they missed the deadline to inform HMRC of changes to their circumstances. These include changes to working hours, income and childcare costs.
People who fail to renew their tax credits by 31st July 2017 may have to repay the money they have received since April.
Rachel McLean, HMRC’s interim Director General of Customer Services, said: “We’ve made some really helpful improvements this year to our online and app services to support our customers. We know life can be hectic so the start and stop feature allows customers to begin and complete their renewal on a day and time convenient for them.
“It’s fantastic that 32,000 have used our app and 733,000 customers have already renewed their tax credits online. I urge customers who have yet to renew their tax credits to do so as soon as possible, thereby avoiding having their payments stopped. The 31 July deadline is fast approaching.”
The online renewals system is now easier and more accessible. It allows customers to track the process of their renewal, receive email confirmation once submitted, and removes the need to scan or type in the barcode number from the back of the renewals pack.
Online help and information on renewing tax credits is available on GOV.UK and via HMRC’s customer service Twitter feed @HMRCcustomers. Support is also available on the tax credits helpline 0345 300 3900.