Tax Credits used to be a benefit for families that HMRC administered. However, tax credits were closed in April 2025.
In this article
What were tax credits?
There used to be two types of tax credit payments:
- Working Tax Credit (WTC) – a means-tested payment for working people on low incomes.
- Child Tax Credit (CTC) – a means-tested payment for people with children.
It is no longer possible to receive tax credits. Everyone previously getting tax credits should have been invited to claim either Universal Credit or Pension Credit before 5 April 2025.
When might I still need to contact Tax Credits?
If you used to get tax credits, there may be circumstances where you still need to contact Tax Credits about your tax credit award in a previous year.
For example, if your child has been recently awarded a qualifying disability benefit such as Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment and this has been backdated to a period when you were on tax credits, you may be entitled to extra tax credit payments for that past period. You must notify the tax credits office within one month of the date on your disability benefit decision.
You may also need to be in contact with Tax Credits if they have said they overpaid you in an earlier year. Similarly, you might contact them if you have an outstanding review or appeal against a tax credit decision in a previous year.
Contacting Tax Credits
The Tax Credit Helpline number is 0345 300 3900. You can use Relay UK if you cannot hear or speak on the phone, dial 18001 then 0345 300 3900.
HMRC’s digital service, ‘Manage your tax credits’, will end after 5 April 2025. In addition, information about your tax credit award will no longer be available via your personal tax account or the HMRC app.
Related information
Grants, loans, savings & welfare assistance schemes
Information about charity grants you might be able to apply for, local welfare schemes and budgeting loans/advances.
Read more
Help with childcare costs
Childcare is expensive, but there may be help available to meet the costs, including free childcare schemes and entitlements through the benefits…
Read more
Benefits in work
How being in work can have an effect on some of the benefits you might be able to claim.
Read moreOther benefits you might be entitled to
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Help with Council Tax and rates
