You must renew your tax credits by July 31

If you're claiming tax credits, you'll be sent a renewal pack. Once you've got this, you can renew your tax credits online.

You can't renew until you get your tax credits renewal pack. If you haven't received your pack, contact the Tax Credit Helpline on 0345 300 3900 or text phone 0345 300 3909.

It is important that you read and follow the guidance notes in the packs even if you are renewing online.

Renewal deadline

The renewal deadline is 31 July unless your renewal pack gives you a different deadline. Your renewal pack will have a red line across the first page if you need to send a reply.

Your tax credits will stop if you miss the deadline. You’ll be sent a statement and have to pay back the tax credits you’ve been given since 6 April. Your tax credits will start again if you send your renewal within 30 days of getting the statement. You’ll be sent any payments you’ve missed since your claim ended.

Automatic renewal

Your tax credits will be renewed automatically if your form has the code ‘TC 603 R’. This means you do not need to send a reply. However, it is important that you check the form carefully to make sure your details are correct. You must report any mistakes on your form or changes in your circumstances. Your tax credits could stop or you could be fined if you don’t.

You can use the tax credits online service to do this.

What happens after you've renewed

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will send you an award notice within eight weeks of receiving your renewal, telling you how much you'll get.

How to renew

1. Renewing online

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are encouraging claimants to renew online wherever possible. You can do this through the Gov.UK website tax credits renewals online.

People can also use the HMRC app on their smartphones to renew their tax credits. This is available from the app store relevant to the device you use.

2. Renewing by telephone

You can also renew via the Tax Credits Helpline on: 0345 300 3900 or Textphone: 0345 300 3909. Please note the helpline can get very busy at this time of year.

3. Renewing by post

You can renew your award by post. If you choose this method, we would recommend you keeping a copy and posting your form by recorded delivery. You must ensure your postal renewal is received by the 31 July deadline.

The address is:

Tax Credit Office
HM Revenue and Customs
BX9 1LR
United Kingdom

Changes of name or address, or complaints which are clearly labelled (for example, write ‘change of circumstances’ or ‘complaint’ at the top of your letter) should be sent to the following address:

HM Revenue and Customs
Tax Credit Office
BX9 1ER
United Kingdom

Need extra help with the renewal process?

If none of the above methods for renewing your tax credits are suitable for you, you can request access to the 'needs enhanced support service' for claimants with additional needs. Contact the Tax Credit Helpline on 0345 300 3900 or Textphone: 0345 300 3909 for more information.

Need more information? The Tax Credit Helpline can help

If you have any questions, the Tax Credit Helpline on 0345 300 3900 or Textphone: 0345 300 3909 should be able to help you. HMRC recommends that you avoid calling this service at peak hours. The best times to get through are between 8.30 and 10.30 am. Busiest times include weekday lunchtimes, after 5.00 pm, Mondays and Fridays.

Could you be eligible for tax credits?

Tax credits - Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit - are payments made by the Government to eligible people with children or on low incomes.

You can use the Turn2us Benefits Calculator to find out if you are eligible.

Read the Turn2us Child Tax Credit information

Read the Turn2us Working Tax Credit information

You can also get independent advice on Tax Credits by using the Turn2us Find an Adviser tool.