Guides › Public Services › Tax Credits Overpayment After Tax Credits Ended
Tax Credits Overpayment After Tax Credits Ended
Tax credits ended on 5 April 2025 and no more payments are made. If you were overpaid, you still have to repay it. If you get Universal Credit, it is repaid automatically by reducing your payments. If you do not, you pay HMRC directly. If you think HMRC made a mistake or want to know how the overpayment was worked out, contact HMRC.
At A Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Old Tax Credit Overpayments
Tax Credits Ended
Tax credits ended on 5 April 2025. No more payments will be made. source
How It Is Repaid
If you get Universal Credit, the overpayment is repaid automatically and your payments are reduced until it is cleared. If you do not claim Universal Credit, you pay HMRC directly. source
If You Disagree
Call HMRC if you think it made a mistake or you want to know how the overpayment was calculated. source
Deductions Cap
Most deductions from Universal Credit are normally limited to 15% of your standard allowance, and you can ask for a financial hardship decision if you are struggling. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- Straight awayAsk for the calculationIf you think it is wrong
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Ask HMRC for a breakdown of the overpayment.
Step 2 of 5
Check it against your old award notices.
Step 3 of 5
Tell HMRC if you think it is wrong.
Step 4 of 5
Ask for lower deductions if you cannot afford them.
Step 5 of 5
Get free advice from TaxAid or Citizens Advice.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
HMRC
Contact HMRC through your personal tax account, the HMRC app or the phone and post details on GOV.UK.
Free Tax Help
TaxAid and Tax Help for Older People give free advice if your income is low.
Citizens Advice
Free, independent help with benefits, including challenges and appeals.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Keep your old tax credit award notices: they are your evidence.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 16 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/tax-credits-overpayments Checked 16 October 2026
- gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-debt-and-deductions-that-can-be-taken-from-payments Checked 16 October 2026