7,000 local families warned to renew tax credits by 31st July - or lose out

THE 7,000 families in the New Forest and Christchurch that are tax credit customers have been reminded to renew by the deadline of 31st July – or their payments will stop.

Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued the call to the 5,400 families in the New Forest and 1,600 in Christchurch on tax credits, which help working families with targeted financial support.

The call is part of a new advertising campaign which tells customers the issue is “too important to forget”.

It reminds customers they can go online to check their renewal, get reassurances it is being processed, and a date for when they will hear back from HMRC.

Angela MacDonald, director general for customer services at HMRC, said: “We know that our customers lead busy lives, which is why our online services are available day and night.

“Customers can complete their tax credit renewals at a time convenient to them. Renewing on time is vital to ensure that their payments don’t stop.”

Customers can also get a smartphone app which allows them to renew, check their tax credits payments schedule and find out how much they have earnt over the past year.

Anyone experiencing problems can also tweet HMRC, send messages to its Facebook page, visit its website www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/tax-credits or go through its webchat help service or call its helpline on 0345 300 3900.