I don't know if this is a coincidence but I've had 2 in the last month or so.

Both were substantial overpayments for 04/05 and were the result of a "review started in 2007" which had finally been decided. Both were brand new decisions despite the date of the alleged overpayment.

Even by the standards of tax credits this seems somewhat slow (and wholly unreasonable though I understand not barred) to be claiming back money after so long.

We're currently challenging the decisions, and are awaiting further information from HMRC. No problems with dealing with them individually, just concerned about the possible trend.

In one of the cases I've seen it's a man who has since separated from the partner he was living with and no longer lives with her or the children... A lot happens in people's lives in 4 years.

These also appear to be both cases where if there is an overpayment there would not be under current rules - as both would be caused by relatively small year on year rises in income.

So is this some kind of trend ? Are there hundreds of these reviews from 2007 now ending ?

And why could we never have had the always talked about "amnesty" ?

Victoria J