Tax credits when your partner leaves or a new partner moves in

When the Tax Credit Office works out your tax credits payments, they look at whether you're single or living with a partner. If you split up with a partner or a new partner moves in, your claim legally ends and you need to set up a new one. So it's very important you tell the Tax Credit Office about any changes as soon as possible so they can make sure you're getting the payments you're entitled to.

On this page:

Let the Tax Credit Office know about any changes
What happens now?
If you've been overpaid
More useful links

Let the Tax Credit Office know about any changes

If you are claiming tax credits and you split up with a partner or a new partner moves in, you must let the Tax Credit Office know within one month.

If you don't tell them about changes like this they might pay you too much. They'll usually ask you to pay back any overpayments and you may be charged a penalty.

You can let them know about any changes by calling the Tax Credit Helpline on Tel 0845 300 3900 or Textphone 0845 300 3909. When you call them they'll stop your current tax credits award. They'll then ask you some questions to work out if you can still claim tax credits now that your circumstances have changed.

If you want to check if you can still claim, you can use a quick online questionnaire.

Check if you qualify for tax credits - quick questionnaire

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What happens now?

If you're still able to get tax credits you'll need to make a new claim.

If you've split up with your partner and you want to make a claim as a single person, you don't need to fill in a new form. You can make your new claim over the phone when you call the Tax Credit Helpline.

If a new partner has moved in, you'll need to make a new joint claim together. You'll need to fill in a claim form. You can get this by calling the Tax Credit Helpline.

Once the Tax Credit Office gets your form they'll send you a new award notice telling you what tax credits you'll get from now on. Please check that your details are correct on the new award notice.

If you don't qualify for tax credits any more, your claim will end on the day you split up with your ex-partner or your new partner moved in. If they pay you any more tax credits after that date you will be overpaid and will probably be expected to pay it back.

Get help with understanding your tax credits award notice

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If you've been overpaid

When your personal life changes it can be stressful and complicated. But if you forget to tell the Tax Credit Office about changes on time you could get tax credits that you're not entitled to. If you've been overpaid, you'll usually have to pay the money back.

If you delayed telling the Tax Credit Office about your partner leaving - or a new partner moving in

The longer you delay telling the Tax Credit Office about this type of change, the bigger your overpayment will be. But the Tax Credit Office will be able to consider reducing the amount you’ll have to pay back if both of the following apply:

you took more than three months to let them know about the change
you’ve set up a new claim as a single person or with your new partner

The Tax Credit Office will work out how much you would have been paid if you had told them about the change on time. They will then deduct that amount from your overpayment.

If you think this applies to you, you should call the Tax Credit Helpline on 0845 300 3900 or Textphone 0845 300 3909.

Paying back your overpayment

If you have received an overpayment on a claim that's come to an end, the Tax Credit Office will ask you to pay it back. This is called a direct payment. They won't be able to collect the money by reducing your new tax credits award, even if you still qualify.

If you have difficulty paying the money back you should call the Tax Credits Payment Helpline on Tel 0845 302 1429. You may be able to pay the money you owe in instalments.

Difficulty repaying overpaid tax credits?

Repaying an overpayment if you had a joint claim

If you and your ex-partner had a joint tax credits claim, the Tax Credit Office will write to you both about the overpayment and the total amount due. You and your ex-partner are jointly responsible for paying it back.

You and your ex-partner can agree between you to pay different amounts. For example:

each of you to pay half
each of you to pay different amounts
one of you to pay the full amount

If this agreement doesn't work, you'll each be asked to pay half the amount.

Find out more if you have separated and have a joint tax credits overpayment

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