In this section:
- How to claim tax credits
- Help with the tax credits claim form
- How to avoid common mistakes on your tax credits claim form
- When your tax credits claim can be backdated
- Protect your right to tax credits by claiming early
- Claiming tax credits as an appointee
- When can you expect your first tax credits payment?
- Tax credits - rights and responsibilities
How to avoid common mistakes on your tax credits claim form
If you make mistakes or don't answer all the questions that apply to you when filling in your tax credits claim form, it can cause delays and mean you have to wait longer for your first payment.
Filling in the form
Your claim form will be read by a machine so it's important to:
- use black ink
- write inside the boxes - use one box for each letter and leave a space between words
- use capital letters
- leave blank any boxes that don't apply to you - don't put a line through or write not applicable
If you make a mistake just put a line through it - don't use correcting fluid. Write the correct information underneath the box.
If you're responsible for more than two children or use more than one childcare provider use the additional pages that came with your claim form.
If you've got more than five children or use more than three childcare providers make photocopies of the pages before filling them in.
To avoid delays, make sure you fill in the whole form but remember, don't put a line through anything that does not apply to you, just leave it blank.
Avoiding common mistakes
The following things will help you to avoid making common mistakes:
- If you're in a couple you must make a joint claim - you can't claim as a single person.
- If you're already getting tax credits or we've written to you explaining that your income is currently too high to get any tax credits, don't make another claim. If your circumstances have changed call us on Tel 0845 300 3900 or textphone 0845 300 3909.
- If you and your partner work - whether employed or self-employed - make sure you fill in both your income details in section 5.
- On question 5.7 about estimated income only mark one box - yes or no - not both. If you've estimated any part of your income your answer should be yes.
Check you've entered all official details correctly
Here's a checklist of information you may need and where to find it:
| Information you'll need | What it looks like | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Your National Insurance (NI) number | It's two letters, six numbers, then one letter, like this - AB 12 45 89 C | You'll find it on:
|
| Your Child Benefit reference number | It's eight numbers, then two letters, like this - 23459876AB | You'll find it on the letter sent each April telling you how much Child Benefit you'll get. |
| Your employer's PAYE reference - if you're employed | It's three numbers, then a slash, then a letter and three more numbers, like this - 123/H345 | You'll find it on your latest payslip, your tax code notice or P60. Ask your employer if you're not sure. |
| Your tax reference - if you're self-employed or working in a partnership | It's a ten digit number like this - 9876556789 | You'll find it on page one of your tax return. |
If you've made a mistake writing down any information, for example your Child Benefit number does not match your child's name, or the number you've given is wrong, we'll have to contact you. This could delay your claim.
Check your bank account details
Make sure you've written the following correctly in the boxes shown:
- name(s) of the account holder(s) - usually your or your partner's name in box 6.5
- account number in box 6.6
- branch sort code in box 6.7
- building society account roll or reference number in box 6.8
Find out more about how tax credits are paid
Check you've given the correct information
It is very important that you give the right information on your claim form. We work out how much to pay you from what you tell us about your income and family circumstances.
Check you've given the correct information about:
- your income - the total amount of money you have coming in
- the benefits you are getting
- your childcare arrangements
- your partner - if you are in a couple you must make a joint claim
- your children
If you have supplied incorrect information, you may end up getting too much money and have to pay it back, and you may get charged a penalty.
Check your form before you send it
Before you send us your form, check you've answered every question that applies to you - missing information could mean your claim is delayed.
Remember not to put a line through anything that does not apply to you.
Check you've given the correct information. If you've supplied the wrong information, you could get charged a penalty.
Make sure you sign and write the date on the form - if you're in a couple, both of you must sign it. Use the return envelope provided and don't fold the form.
Contact us
You can contact our Tax Credit Helpline on Tel 0845 300 3900 or textphone 0845 300 3909 (open from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm, seven days a week except Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day).
