Working Tax Credit recipients to report working hours changes to HMRC

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging Working Tax Credit (WTC) customers to check if they need to update their working hours if these have reduced as a result of coronavirus.

 

Customers do not need to tell HMRC if they re-establish their normal working hours before Thursday November 25, 2021, but from then, they must do within the usual one-month window if they are not back to working their normal hours as shown in their WTC claim.

 

WTC customers did not need to tell HMRC if they were working fewer hours or were furloughed during the pandemic as a measure aimed at relieving some of the pressures people were facing.

 

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s director general for customer services, said: ‘We introduced this measure last year to help support working families. It is vital that Working Tax Credit claimants who have benefited from it update HMRC with their working hours if they have reduced, and they won’t return to their normal level before Thursday November 25, 2021.

 

‘Anyone who is no longer eligible for Working Tax Credit due to a change in their circumstances may be able to apply for other UK Government support, including Universal Credit.’

 

Customers should continue to tell HMRC about any permanent changes to their circumstances within one month – for example if they are made redundant, lose their job or their hours change permanently during this time.

 

This will ensure only those who are entitled to tax credits receive them, otherwise those ineligible or due a lower rate of payment will have to pay them back later.

 

If customers receive tax credits they are not entitled to as a result of a change they will need to repay this money and may also have to pay a penalty if they do not let HMRC know within one month.

 

Any changes relating to WTC can be reported online on GOV.UK, where customers can also check their current WTC claim details.