More than 33,600 have successfully used the HMRC app to renew their tax credits claim so far this year, a 39% increase on last year.
Tax credits are there to help working families with targeted financial support, so
And it is important that claimants act to renew before the 31st July 2022 deadline to ensure their payments don’t stop. New claimants cannot apply for tax credits but must sign up for. Universal Credit.
HMRC is encouraging more claimants to use their highly-rated app as it is a quick and easy way to get this done. It is free and simple to use and allows direct access to tax credits at the touch of a button. There are many benefits of the fully secure app, which can be used on any smartphone or tablet, at any time, eliminating the need to call HMRC and helping claimants to save time and money.
Claimants using the HMRC app can:
- renew tax credits
- make changes to their claim
- check their tax credits payments schedule, and
- find out how much they have earned for the year
There are around 259,000 tax credits app users, who have used the app more than 10 million times in the last year to do things like check their payment dates and amount.
Time is running out for our tax credits customers to renew their claims. It’s quick, easy and free to complete a renewal on the HMRC app – search ‘HMRC’ in your smartphone app store.
Claimants can download the app at the App Store or Google Play. Online reviews at both indicate plenty of satisfaction with the app’s performance, as it currently holds a score of 4.5 stars on the App Store, and 4.7 on Google Play.
HMRC has released a video to explain how tax credits claimants can use the HMRC app to view, manage and update their details.
Once signed into the app after initial download, there are options for users to set up and select facial recognition, a fingerprint or a 6-digit pin to get fast and fully secure access to their details.
Claimants can also renew their tax credits and manage their claims online. They can log into GOV.UK to check on the progress of their renewal, be reassured it’s being processed and know when they’ll hear back from HMRC.
The UK Government has recently announced a Cost of Living Payment of £650, payable in two separate lump sums of £326 and £324, for households receiving certain benefits or tax credits, to help with the cost of living. If receiving tax credits only, they are eligible for each payment. HMRC will contact and issue payments automatically. Claimants do not need to contact HMRC or apply for the payment.
Tax credits are ending and will be replaced by Universal Credit by the end of 2024. Many claimants who move from tax credits to Universal Credit could be financially better off and can use an independent benefits calculator to check. If claimants choose to apply sooner, it is important to get independent advice as they cannot go back to tax credits or any other benefits that Universal Credit replaces.
As the deadline for renewals approaches, claimants hurrying to sort their accounts could be more vulnerable to scammers. HMRC is warning people that if someone contacts them saying that they are from HMRC and wants the customer to transfer money urgently or give personal information, they should never let themselves be rushed. HMRC is also urging claimants to never to share their HMRC login details. Someone using them could steal or make a fraudulent claim in their name. The department urges people to take their time and check HMRC’s advice about scams.
To sign into the tax credits service for the first time, claimants need to prove their identity using 2 evidence sources. GB driving licences has recently been added as an additional option to help more get online. You can find the full list of accepted forms of ID at:
PAYadvice.UK 15/7/2022
