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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 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 the online questionnaire.

• Check if you qualify for tax credits - quick 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 the Tax Credit Office get 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 the Tax Credit Office pay you any more tax credits after that date it'll count as an overpayment that you'll probably have to pay back.

• Checking 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 the Tax Credit Office about changes on time you could get tax credits that you're not entitled to. If they'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, they'll ask you to pay them 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.

Each year, during April, May and June the Tax Credit Office write to you asking you to:

• check the information they 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, they'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, they'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 0845 302 1429. You may be able to pay them 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 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, they'll ask each of you to pay half the amount.

• You have separated and have a joint tax credits overpayment

Contact the Tax Credit Office

You can contact the Tax Credit Helpline on 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).

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

More useful links

• How your tax credits entitlement is worked out