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HMRC letter codes · Tax credits (TC)

TC1131Your tax credits overpayments

Last reviewed 14 October 2026 · How Tax Letters checks its facts

GOV.UK says tax credits ended on 5 April 2025 and no more payments will be made.

GOV.UK: Tax credits: general enquiries · checked 14 October 2026

In short

GOV.UK's DWP guide says customers are told that their debt is moving to DWP in a letter called ‘Your tax credits overpayments’ (TC1131).

“Customers will be advised via a letter called ‘Your tax credits overpayments’ (TC1131).”

GOV.UK: Tax credits debt in Universal Credit (DWP) · checked 14 October 2026

Information, not advice: this page reports what HMRC, GOV.UK and the bodies named publish about TC1131. Each fact has its source and the day it was checked beside it.

What it is

GOV.UK says that after you start getting Universal Credit you get a letter from HMRC telling you how much you owe, and that the letter is called a 'TC1131 (UC)'.

“After you start getting Universal Credit you’ll get a letter from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) telling you how much you owe. The letter is called a ‘TC1131 (UC)’.”

GOV.UK: Tax credits overpayments · checked 14 October 2026

GOV.UK says your debt may be passed to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) if HMRC cannot get the money you owe, and that you then get a letter called a 'TC1131 (non-UC)'.

“Your debt may be passed to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) if HMRC cannot get the money you owe. You’ll get a letter called a ‘TC1131 (non-UC)’ when this happens.”

GOV.UK: Tax credits overpayments · checked 14 October 2026

GOV.UK says that if you have received a ‘TC1131’ letter, this means your debt has passed to DWP.

“If you’ve received a ‘TC1131’ letter, this means your debt has passed to DWP.”

GOV.UK: Tax credits overpayments · checked 14 October 2026

When HMRC sends it

GOV.UK says the TC1131 (UC) letter may come a few months after you have moved to Universal Credit.

“The letter may come a few months after you’ve moved to Universal Credit.”

GOV.UK: Tax credits overpayments · checked 14 October 2026

What it asks

If you get Universal Credit, GOV.UK says that after you get the TC1131 (UC) letter, DWP will reduce your Universal Credit payments until you pay back the money you owe, and you do not have to do anything to set this up.

“If you get Universal Credit … After you get the letter, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will reduce your Universal Credit payments until you pay back the money you owe. You do not have to do anything to set this up.”

GOV.UK: Tax credits overpayments · checked 14 October 2026

GOV.UK says to contact the DWP Debt Management centre on 0800 916 0647, Monday to Friday, 8am to 7.30pm, if you get Universal Credit and cannot afford your repayments after a TC1131 letter.

“Contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Debt Management centre if you cannot afford your repayments. … Telephone: 0800 916 0647 … Monday to Friday, 8am to 7.30pm”

GOV.UK: Tax credits overpayments · checked 14 October 2026

If you get Universal Credit, GOV.UK says a repayment plan for your tax credits debt will end after you get the TC1131 (UC) letter, that standing orders set up to repay the debt have to be cancelled, and that HMRC will cancel any Direct Debits.

“If you get Universal Credit … If you have a repayment plan for your tax credits debt (also known as a ‘Time to Pay’ arrangement), it will end after you get the letter from HMRC. … You must cancel any standing orders you’ve set up to repay the debt. HMRC will cancel any Direct Debits.”

GOV.UK: Tax credits overpayments · checked 14 October 2026

If you get Universal Credit and claimed tax credits as a couple, GOV.UK says the debt in a TC1131 (UC) letter is split in half between you, each of you gets a letter, and each of you pays your half.

“If you get Universal Credit … If you claimed tax credits as a couple … The debt will be split in half between you. Each of you will receive a letter with details of your half of the debt. You must each pay your half.”

GOV.UK: Tax credits overpayments · checked 14 October 2026

If you get Universal Credit, GOV.UK says the process for a TC1131 (UC) letter is different in Northern Ireland, where you repay the Department for Communities (DfC).

“If you get Universal Credit … There’s a different process if you’re in Northern Ireland. You will repay the Department for Communities (DfC).”

GOV.UK: Tax credits overpayments · checked 14 October 2026

Free help and HMRC contacts

GOV.UK says to use the DWP repayment service if you want to know how much you owe or when your repayments will end, after a TC1131 (UC) letter.

“Use the DWP repayment service if you want to know … how much you owe … when your repayments will end”

GOV.UK: Tax credits overpayments · checked 14 October 2026

Free help first

These routes are described by GOV.UK, TaxAid and Citizens Advice themselves.

  • HMRC's extra supportHMRC offers extra support if your health condition or personal circumstances make it difficult to contact HMRC, for example a mental health condition, financial hardship or being treated in hospital.
  • Someone to deal with HMRC for youYou can authorise a friend, relative or voluntary organisation to talk to HMRC for you and help you fill in forms.
  • TaxAidTaxAid helps people with tax problems who cannot pay for advice. Tax Help for Older People merged with TaxAid in July 2025.
  • Citizens AdviceCitizens Advice gives confidential advice online, over the phone and in person, for free.