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Frequently asked questions - tax credits 
If there is a question that you have been puzzling over why not suggest a faq.
Q2. How do I claim tax credits?
Q4. Who is responsible for tax credits?
Q5. What if I have been overpaid tax credits?
Q6. What if I disagree with my tax credits decision?
Q7. What if my circumstances change?
Q8. Do I have to have a medical examination to prove disability for tax credits purposes?
Q9. Where can I get advice on tax credits?
A1. Tax credits give financial help to you if you have dependent children or are in work but on a low income. You must be over age 16 . The help for children is called child tax credit (CTC) and the help for those in work is called working tax credit (WTC). You can find out more about tax credits in our factsheet - A guide to tax credits.
A2. You claim both child tax credit CTC and working tax credit WTC on form, TC600. You can get form TC600 from Jobcentre Plus offices and HM Revenue and Customs Enquiry Centres.
Alternatively you can get a copy of the form by telephoning 0845 300 3900 (text phone 0845 300 3909) if you live in Great Britain or 0845 603 2000 (textphone 0845 607 6078) if you live in Northern Ireland.
If you live in the United Kingdom you can also complete the form online at the tax credits website which is at http://www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/HomeNew.aspx.
A3. The amount of tax credits you can get are affected by:
You can find out more about tax credits in our factsheet - A guide to tax credits.
A4. Responsibility for administering the new tax credits rests with HM Revenue and Customs.
A5. The amount of tax credit paid in a particular year is usually an estimated amount based on the previous year's income and adjusted finally, at the end of the tax year, once the income for the year is known you may be asked to repay any overpaid tax credits.
You may not have to repay this overpayment or be allowed to repay it over a longer time period than normal if you were overpaid because of an official error or it would cause hardship to you or your family if you had to pay the tax credit back. Find out more.
A6. You can ask the Revenue to look at a decision again or appeal against a decision.
You must appeal within 30 days of the date of your decision. Requests for an appeal made after the thirty days will not be allowed unless you have a very good reason for not applying earlier.
You cannot appeal against a decision to recover an overpayment of tax credit, only against a decision about the amount of tax credits you are entitled to, or whether you were entitled at all. Find out more.
A7. You do not have to tell the Inland Revenue if your income changes during a tax year but you might wish to do this because there is a risk of an underpayment or overpayment when the tax year ends and the award is compared with your actual income. Any underpayment will then be repaid as a lump sum. Alternatively, if you have been overpaid you will have to pay this money back.
You must report the following changes:
You can find out more about tax credits in our factsheet - A guide to tax credits.
A8. No there is no requirement to pass a medical for tax credits.
A9. The best way to get advice on tax credits is to go to a local advice centre in your area, such as a local citizen's advice bureau.
The homeless uk website has an excellent "services" search facility which enables you to search, by area, for agencies providing benefits and debt advice (be sure and type benefits in the "text" box).
Disability Alliance has also produced a factsheet entitled Finding a local advice centre.
