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HMRC letter codes · Tax credits (TC)

TC602Tax credits award notice

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

HMRC's Tax Credits Manual lists TC602 as the award notice, and TC602 Notes as the notes to accompany the award notice.

“Award notice. … Notes to accompany the award notice.”

HMRC Tax Credits Manual: TCM0316020, Extra information: forms · checked 14 October 2026

Information, not advice: this page reports what HMRC, GOV.UK and the bodies named publish about TC602. Each fact has its source and the day it was checked beside it.

What it is

GOV.UK says the TC602(SN) checklist is for working out if the information on your tax credits award notice is correct.

“Use this checklist to help you work out if the information on your tax credits award notice is correct.”

GOV.UK: Tax credits: check your award notice (TC602(SN)) · checked 14 October 2026

When HMRC sends it

GOV.UK says HMRC sends a copy of the TC602(SN) checklist whenever it sends an award notice.

“HMRC will send you a copy of this checklist whenever they send you an award notice.”

GOV.UK: Tax credits: check your award notice (TC602(SN)) · checked 14 October 2026

Time limits and rules

GOV.UK says you can ask for a tax credits decision to be reconsidered (a ‘mandatory reconsideration’) by filling in a WTC/AP form, within 30 days of getting your award notice (the TC602) unless there are exceptional circumstances.

“Mandatory reconsideration … Ask for the decision to be reconsidered by filling in a WTC/AP form. You need to do this within 30 days of getting your award notice unless there are exceptional circumstances”

GOV.UK: Tax credits: appeals and complaints · checked 14 October 2026

GOV.UK says the latest you can send a request for a tax credits decision to be reconsidered, such as one on a TC602 award notice, is 13 months after the date of the decision.

“Mandatory reconsideration … The latest you can send a request is 13 months after the date of the decision.”

GOV.UK: Tax credits: appeals and complaints · checked 14 October 2026

Free help and HMRC contacts

GOV.UK’s tax credits appeals guide says to call HMRC if you think your tax credits are wrong, and that HMRC can check your award and may be able to change it if it is wrong. The TC602 is the award notice.

“Call HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) if you think your tax credits are wrong. They can check your award and may be able to change it if it’s wrong.”

GOV.UK: Tax credits: appeals and complaints · 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.