HMRC teams have been examining tax credit awards being paid to the self-employed and are writing to any whose claims might not be genuine or accurate. They are asked to contact the department and supply evidence to support their claims. Letters have started to land on the doorsteps today of 12,000 self-employed people who are claiming tax credits.
In a separate development, hundreds of thousands of people are expected to face fines of at least £50 for “preventable” errors in their benefits claims. Errors could include failure to inform the authorities of a change of address or a partner moving into their home.
