In this section:
- New baby - what tax credits are you entitled to?
- Tax credits when your partner leaves or a new partner moves in
- Your child reaches 16 - are you still entitled to tax credits?
- Tax credits if you or a member of the family goes into hospital
- Tax credits if you or a member of the family goes into custody
Tax credits when your partner leaves or a new partner moves in
When we work out your tax credit payments, we 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 us about any changes as soon as possible so we can make sure you're getting the payments you're entitled to.
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 us know within one month.
If you don't tell us about changes like this we might pay you too much. We'll usually ask you to pay back any overpayments and you may be charged a penalty.
You can let us know about any changes by calling the Tax Credit Helpline on Tel 0845 300 3900 or textphone 0845 300 3909. When you call us we'll stop your current tax credits award. We'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 our online questionnaire.
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 we get your form we'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 we pay you any more tax credits after that date it'll count as an overpayment that you'll probably have to pay back.
Get help with understanding your tax credits award notice
If you've been overpaid
When your personal life changes it can be stressful and complicated. But if you forget to tell us about changes on time you could get tax credits that you're not entitled to. If we've overpaid you, you'll usually have to pay the money back.
If you have received an overpayment on a claim that's come to an end, we'll ask you to pay us back. This is called a direct payment. We won't be able to collect the money by reducing your new tax credits award, even if you still qualify.
Each year, during April, May and June we write to you asking you to:
- check the information we have about your personal circumstances
- confirm the income you received in the year that has just ended
- renew your claim
If you're now claiming as a single person, we'll write to you about both claims. One letter will be for your joint claim that has ended, and the other will be for your new claim. When you've replied to these, we'll tell you how much you have to pay back, and when to pay it.
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 us 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, we'll 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, we'll ask each of you to pay half the amount.
More about repaying overpaid tax credits
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).
