Thank you - that's somewhat reassuring at least! Always worry that you're going to be that One they decide to make an example of...need to stop worrying about things that haven't happened yet. It's a terrible habit of mine

Hi all, Sorry I know there are load of these queries at the moment - but I fear I have royally messed up and am going to at best end up with a huge overpayment, at worst end up being prosecuted. I'm 15 weeks pregnant and obviously the stress is not great right now. So, 2011-2012 was the first year I claimed tax credits using income from the previous tax year 2010-2011. I'm self employed and my partner is too and he actually made a loss so our total income for the year was 6500 give or take. We have one child who is 18 months now. I made the claim last April and we were awarded the full amount, however my partner and I seperated in the June (money worries ironically) and I changed to a single claim. He managed to get regular self employment work in the July and we moved back in together in August. I called the tax credits office and told them all the updates, that he was working regularly and we were now claiming as a couple again. Not once did they ask about his income. I did think this was a little odd but when I put last year's income into the credits calculator etc, it said we were getting the correct payments so I didn't worry. Anyway, now someone has told me that because our income for 2011-2012 was over 10,000 more than it was for 2010-2011 that we were not entitled to any of the money and have to pay it back?? Is this right? I don't have all of it as I checked on the calculator and was told it was correct. Obviously I should have phoned them but I checked forums etc and it seemed that it was always based on your previous year. I did my renewal earlier this month (using estimates as we were both self employed) and now am waiting for a horrible overpayment letter. I know we have been overpaid since April 2012 and I have not touched this money as I knew it would have to go back - but now I'm terrified about the previous year. Can anyone shed any light/reassure me that they're not going to cart me off to prison. It was an oversight on my part not to flag it up, I know, but I honestly just didn't think! Terrified here, been awake since 3am.