THOUSANDS of Hampshire residents are urged to renew their tax credits to avoid the risk of having their payments stopped.

The HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging customers in the south to renew their tax credits by Monday July 31.

Failure to renew before the deadline will mean payments are stopped and customers may have to repay money they have received since April.

Rachel McLean, HMRC’s interim director general of customer services, said: “I urge customers in the South East who have yet to renew their tax credits to do so as soon as possible, thereby avoiding their payments being stopped. The July 31 deadline is fast approaching.”

A new online system will now allow customers to track the process of their renewal and receive email confirmation once submitted.

It also removes the need to scan or type in the barcode number from the back of the renewals pack.

Ms McLean, said: “We’ve made some really helpful improvements this year to our online and app services to support our customers. We know life can be hectic so the start and stop feature allows customers to begin and complete their renewal on a day and time convenient for them."

HMRC claimed that last year 410,000 customers across the UK had their payments stopped or altered because they missed the deadline to inform HMRC of changes to their circumstances.

This included changes to working hours, income and childcare cost.

This year, Ms McLean said that 733,000 customers have already renewed their tax credits online.

Those who need help to renew tax credits are encouraged to contact HMRC on social media or by calling 0345 300 3900.