Over a million Brits are set to find an unwelcome letter regarding winter fuel payments on their doormats.
Eligibility for the payments is dependent on your income, with anyone with an annual income exceeding £35,000 being unable to claim the extra cash.
Anyone whose income exceeds the above figure should have been opted out of the scheme, but if you did receive winter fuel payments while having a pension over £35,000, then I'm afraid I have some bad news for you, as HMRC is about to send you a bill.
In line with the 2025/2026 tax year ending, HMRC will be checking to make sure everyone has paid the correct amount of tax.
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Underpaid on your taxes the previous year? Then you will be expected to put things right over the next 12 months – and this includes winter fuel payments.
Who is eligible for winter fuel payments?
Anyone born before on or before 27 June 1960 is eligible to receive winter fuel payments, a windfall between £100 and £300 to help cover the increase in energy bills during the colder months.
The payment ensures that elderly people - who are more likely to be susceptible to the cold - can afford to keep their houses warm, but there is a catch.
According to figures from Money Saving Expert, there are an estimated 1.3 million pensioners in the UK receiving more than £35,000 each year.
How to know if you owe HMRC for tax or winter fuel payments
HMRC is currently writing up letters and emails to those who owe money, with those expected to land on your doormat or inbox later this month.
The letter will inform you that your tax code is changing for the upcoming year in order to accommodate the repayments.
MSE has also warned people to be vigilant of potential scams, as legitimate HMRC correspondence will never include links or ask you to provide personal details.
Instead, the letter will inform you of a tax code change and signpost you to the Gov.uk website to find out exactly what is changing.
The government urges anyone who receives phishing or scam messages from HMRC to report them here.
How to avoid owing money on future winter fuel payments
Keen to avoid the same situation occurring next April? Then you can opt out of future winter fuel payments.
To do this, all you need to do is complete a form on the government website or contact 0800 731 0160.
For more information and how to opt out online, click here.
Brenna Cooper