HMRC says thousands 'should have received' crucial document in post in past few weeks

Anyone who claims Tax Credit should have received crucial documents in the post from HMRC. Claimants now have until July 31 to renew their Tax Credits claim, and renewal documents should have been sent out to them.

Benefits could be stopped altogether if the letter is not read properly, it has been warned. There are two different types of renewal notices and it's important claimants understand what they mean.

The renewal pack will either contain an "Annual Renewal Notice" or a notice and an "Annual Declaration Form" and these will be identified using red and black lines. If your pack has a black line on it and says the words "check now" it will include the Annual Renewal Notice. This means your Tax Credit claim will renew automatically after July 31, The Mirror reports.

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Even though your claim will renew automatically, you will need to read through it to check all the information in the form is correct and accurate. You do not need to do anything if it is and your Tax Credits will continue at the amount shown in the letter.

Citizen's Advice says you should look out for mistakes or out-of-date information with these notices. This includes if your income has been wrongly calculated or your partner has moved in with you.

You should also check for any missing information such as a disability benefit for any children. If there are mistakes on your claim then you will need to contact HMRC and provide them with the right information before the deadline of July 31.

Around 10,000 people will get a notice that has a red line on it and the words "reply now", along with the "Annual Declaration Form." This means that your Tax Credit claim will not be renewed automatically and you will need to send the form back to renew your Tax Credit claim.

Your renewal pack will include instructions on how to give the right information. If you received this notice, you will have been receiving "provisional" Tax Credit payments since April 6 until you renew and if you fail to renew in time, you will then need to pay back the money you received since April.

Around 730,000 Tax Credits customers were set to receive their annual renewal notices and the vast majority of claims will be automatically renewed. You can renew your Tax Credits online through GOV.UK or the HMRC app. You can also call the HMRC on 0345 300 3900 or post your renewal pack back to HMRC.