Tax credits are state benefits given to people who look after children, workers on low in comes, or disabled workers.
These will fall under child tax credits or working tax credits, and you can be eligible for one or both of them depending.
Some people may find their tax credit amount has changed, while others might notice that its come early.
Here are all the reasons this may be happening.
If youve found your tax credits in your account early this month, youre not being over or underpaid – its due to the bank holiday.
The government advises that they sometimes pay early when its a bank holiday, because payments normally go in on a Monday or Tuesday.
Again, it wont change the amount youll get, just the date they go in.
If the amount youve got has gone down recently it may be due to the fact your income has gone up.
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Its unlikely at this time of year to be because you havent renewed your claim, but youll need to do this before 31 July 2018 if your renewal pack says reply now.
This is to make sure they dont get stopped and you dont end up having to pay money back in future.
If youve been overpaid in the past, this could be the reason your payment has gone down now. The money will be taken from future payments after the overpayment, and should be on your awards statement.
Other reasons include that youve stopped getting PIP, DLA or other disability benefits for yourself or a child, your child has turned 16 or over and you havent told the Tax Credit Office theyre in approved education or training, or theyve assessed that your childcare costs have gone down.
If you think there might be a mistake in your payment, you can ring the helpline on 0345 300 3900.
The phone line will be closed for an upgrade from 4pm on Saturday 5 May to 8am on Monday 7 May, but will be open as usual from 8am to 8pm weekdays, 8am to 4pm Saturdays, and 9am to 5pm Sundays thereafter.
MORE: Family of 14 forced to live in four-bedroom house after mums benefit is cut to 50p
MORE: Scrap cap on child benefits, religious leaders tell government
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