THE TAX credit renewal deadline is fast approaching and HM Revenue and Customs is urging claimants in the South West to renew now, or risk having their payments stopped.

The deadline for renewal is Monday, July 31.

In the South West there are 301,000 claimants, with 4,600 in the Stroud constituency.

In The Cotswolds there is 3,500, Thornbury and Yate has 3,600 and Filton and Bradley Stoke has 4,500.

The online renewals system is now easier and more accessible than ever before, allowing customers to track the process of their renewal, receive email confirmation once submitted, and removing the need to scan or type in the barcode number from the back of the renewals pack. 

Last year 410,000 customers across the UK had their payments stopped or altered because they missed the deadline to inform HMRC of changes to their circumstances.

These include changes to working hours, income, and childcare costs, and can be done through gov.uk, via the HMRC app or by calling the tax credits helpline on 0345 300 3900.

Rachel McLean, HMRC’s interim Director General of Customer Services, said: "We’ve made some really helpful improvements this year to our online and app services to support our customers.

"We know life can be hectic so the start and stop feature allows customers to begin and complete their renewal on a day and time convenient for them.

"It’s fantastic that 32,000 people have used our app and 733,000 customers have already renewed their tax credits online.

"I urge customers in the South West who have yet to renew their tax credits to do so as soon as possible, thereby avoiding their payments being stopped.

"The July 31 deadline is fast approaching."

Online help and information on renewing tax credits is available on gov.uk and via HMRC’s customer service Twitter feed @HMRCcustomers, help is also available from the tax credits helpline on 0345 300 3900.