Tax Credits

[~Wingnut~]

Hi! We found out yesterday that when my husband filled in our end of year wage on the renewal form he put the wrong amount. This isn't the correct amount but for example for my end of year wage he put £100000 instead of £10,000 they are saying that we shouldn't have been awarded anything last year and must pay the whole lot back!! I spoke to them yesterday and because the closing date has passed she can't correct it so has sent them an email but they may not change it. It was a stupid mistake made by him and I am really worried about this as the thought of having an ongoing dispute trying to sort it makes me feel sick!
Has anyone had this happen? They are saying we may have to wait 4weeks before the tax office 'may' get in touch and not to ring them in the meantime but what if they haven't passed our info on? Heard too many horror stories of dealings with the tax office and them being fair that this is going to make me ill by the time the 4wks is up and ofcourse this means we aren't getting any tax credits either. Just seems a mess I could really do without all because of one silly mistake.
Any advice, info etc will be great fully received.

[~Wingnut~]

Sorry should add he filled the form out online and not on the sheet and posted it back. Should have blooming rung them!!!!

[black_cat51]

thereis not much you can do except wait and it will all get sorted eventually

[douglas9401]

They'll be able to see from your bank statements, P60s etc exactly what your circumstances are and will sort it all out eventually.
You've not committed fraud and are communicating with them so relax and just wait for it all to settle.

[Daffy6543]

You will be fine. We had a similar problem last year. My oh changed jobs mid-way through the year and they added the wages from both jobs together on their computer meaning they had that he'd earned around £27,000 pounds, when he had only earned £13,000. This meant that according to them we had been overpaid, were entitled to no tax credits or child tax credits and would have to pay them back. It was sorted out in one phone call, I have no idea why they are telling you it will take 4 weeks!

[~Wingnut~]

Thanx so much everyone for your replies, I just really hate having things like this hanging over me esp over a silly mistake. I tend to fear the worst I guess :/

I can only assume it can't be changed over one phone call because the deadline was the 31st July and she said they can't change it now for that tax year and that's why we have to hope the tax office themselves will see the mistake and change it. She typed an email to them whilst I was on the phone, although she didn't read it out or anything. I know they said not to contact them yet but may get husband to ring and just confirm that we have done everything we can and that it is on the system trying to get sorted. I just worry that we will wait and eventually when we do contact them they say there is no record and that we have missed the 4 week dispute or something!
Grrr... Renewing it by ringing it in from now on lol!!

Thanx again everyone will keep you updated :)

[themas]

The people you speak to are a helpline, & for anything like this they have to pass details to another part of the tax credit office. It should be sorted out eventually but can take time. If your husband is employed (rather than self-employed) they can get the actual information from HMRC tax records. If he is self-employed they will probably ask for more information - such as his annual accounts.

If you get into a real problem - such as they tell you the figure you gave has to stand - there are various things you can do, but you must not accept whatever they say if it is not to accept the correct figure. You can go to the local CAB for advice, or you can make a formal complaint to the Tax Credit Office, or you can ask your MP to get involved. Hopefully, none of this will be necessary.

So far as tax credits for this year are concerned you need to contact them and give them an estimate of anticipated gross income for the 14-15 tax year (for yourself if you have an income, as well as for your husband). If the estimates mean you are still entitled to tax credits they should start paying them again based on the current year's estimated income.