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.

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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 have family abroad you may need to make either a single or joint claim, depending on your personal circumstances. You can check what type of claim you should make by following the link below.
If you're already getting tax credits or the Tax Credit Office have 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 the Tax Credit Helpline 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.

Making your tax credits claim if your family isn't in the UK

On question 1.11 about disability, you should only tick the box if you work for 16 hours or more a week and both of the following apply:

you have a disability which makes it hard for you to get a job
you are getting or have recently been getting certain sickness or disability benefits such as Disability Living Allowance or Incapacity Benefit.

Find out more about being disabled and qualifying for extra tax credits

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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 National Insurance numbercard • your tax code notice • the P60 End of Year Certificate you get from your employer • any letter from HM Revenue & Customs, the Department for Work and Pensions, from the Department for Social Development in Northern Ireland • your Payslip
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, the Tax Credit Office will have to contact you. This could delay your claim.

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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

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Check you've given the correct information

It is very important that you give the right information on your claim form. The Tax Credit Office works out how much to pay you from what you tell them 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
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.

Find out more about penalties

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Check your form before you send it

Before you send in 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.

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Contact the Tax Credit Office

If you need more help you can call the Tax Credits Helpline which is open from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm every day except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. The numbers you can ring are:

tel 0845 300 3900
textphone 0845 300 3909 - if you are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment

If you're calling from overseas you can also contact the Tax Credit Office on Tel + 44 289 053 8192.