Did you fail to renew your Tax Credits because you met a rich bloke who then dumped you?

If you are waiting for ages on the Tax Credit Helpline, it’s probably because in the last four months, phone operators have taken 8.2 million calls.

Tax Credits have to be renewed by 31 July or payments will stop.

Last year, more than 650,000 people didn’t manage to make the deadline.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has released the top ten reasons given for failing to renew on time:

1.  I didn’t need the money because I’d met a rich bloke, but he dumped me

2.  My mum usually does this for me

3.  The form was locked in the boot of my car, and then my car caught fire

4.  My baby used the paperwork as a colouring book

5.  My dog ate the form

6.  I got confused with the 31 January Self Assessment deadline

7.  I booked the last two weeks of July for a holiday and forgot all about it

8.  I’ve been in hospital but am feeling much better now

9.  I was unable to get income details from my employers in time

10.  I thought I’d already renewed