How to Dispute a Tax Credit Overpayment: Step 3
- Dispute Step 3
- Dispute Step 4
- Dispute Step 5
- Dispute Step 6
Step 3: Contact Your MP & Get Them Involved
If you haven’t already, send your MP your case history and any responses you have had. Include a covering letter outlining your complaint, and ask them to contact HMRC on your behalf to dispute that you should be made responsible for the error.
We have lots of evidence that active involvement of your MP goes a long way to a successful outcome, but actually the minimum you need them to do is use their letter-headed writing paper, as it does seem to make a difference to how cases are handled.
Your MP does have to act on your behalf; it is their duty. They have access to a specialist MP Tax Credit Hotline to help them deal with your case quicker, so tell them to use it. If your MP does not act on your behalf, advise them that you will make a complaint against them. It’s probably quicker and more convenient for you to deal with your MP (or their staff) via telephone or email. Both contact details should be freely publically available (to find out who your MP is go here: Find Your MP).
At this stage the MP will probably want to have one last try to reason with HMRC and will therefore write to HMRC on your behalf. This isn’t strictly necessary, but let them if they do it. Otherwise ask them to forward your dispute to The Adjudicator's Office, which is the next step:Dispute Step 4
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Who We Are: Tax Credit Casualties (TCC) is a voluntary, unfunded, not for profit UK organisation run by members for members. We offer free advice on how to dispute unfair overpayments based on our own experiences, the experiences of other claimants and HMRC guidelines.
Our Standards: TCC was established to provide advice and guidance on disputing recovery of non-fraudulent tax credit overpayments, and to lobby for fundamental change on the inbuilt flaws and inequalities of the tax credit system. TCC operate in a professional manner and endeavour to give accurate and appropriate advice based on information provided by members. TCC endeavour to respond to members as quickly and efficiently as possible, given the voluntary nature of the organisation and limited resources available. TCC is an inclusive organisation and will treat all members in a fair and equitable manner.
Disclaimer: Please note that we are not tax professionals and are working on a voluntary basis, unpaid, in our free time. Between us, we have a lot of experience and knowledge in this area, gained over the last few years of supporting victims and helping them fight for justice and their rights. Whilst TCC provide guidance and information on how to handle disputes, and even provide an advocacy service in some instances, neither TCC as an organisation nor any participating members are responsible or liable for outcomes of disputes, which remain wholly the remit of HMRC, the Adjudicator and/or the Parliamentary Ombudsman, as appropriate and dependent on the stage of dispute. We cannot take any responsibility for decisions made by HMRC, The Parliamentary Ombudsman, The Adjudicator, or any other organisation regarding claimants cases. Legislation, operating practices and individual cases change all the time, and while we aim to be professional and accurate at all times, please understand the circumstances we are working under and accept our support, guidance and information in the sprit it is offered; goodwill and camaraderie.
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