Tax Credits – Improved Services and Communications

The Chancellor has announced a package of measures to improve the way tax credits are delivered by HMRC.

HMRC will:

• proactively contact vulnerable customers during the 2008 renewals window and offer them additional support to renew their claims. Where customers fail to renew in time and are still eligible for tax credits, they will be helped to get back into payment quicker
• in November and December this year, roll out new services to make the process of claiming tax credits easier and quicker for the customer. HMRC will also help customers to keep their claims up to date to avoid overpayments, by proactively seeking information from customers and making better use of the information already held
• work with Children’s Centres to pilot different ways and different locations for providing advice and services
• introduce a new ID authentication service to help reduce tax credits error and fraud
• support the introduction of these services with improved communications products, which will increasingly be tailored to specific events, making sure that tax credit customers have the information they need, when they need it.