Opt out of winter fuel payments or get a tax clawback headache

Those who are qualified for Winter Fuel Payments (WFP) but have an income over £35,000 must opt out before 15 September 2025, or risk dealing with a tax clawback headache, say leading audit, tax and business advisory firm, Blick Rothenberg.

John Havard, a Consultant at the firm, said: “There is an easy way to opt out of the tax headache caused by the WFP on the gov.uk website, but it must be done before 15 September 2025.

He added: “The default is that any age qualified individual will receive the WFP. But a ‘wealthier’ individual with an income over £35,000 will be subject to a tax ‘claw back’, where the WFP they receive is required to be returned to the Government. Given this will be a complex process, and just £1 of income above the £35,000 limit is enough to trigger a clawback, those in favour of a simple life will need to opt out of WFP before the deadline.

John said: “You can formally opt out of receiving WFP on the Opt out of Winter Fuel Payment page on the gov.uk website. But you must live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland to do so. The only information you need to have to hand is your National Insurance Number, name, date of birth and address.”

He added: “According to the Winter Fuel help page, you can also contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre via the telephone or post to opt out. Hopefully the Government is providing information on these avenues of contact via offline sources such as television, radio and leaflets, as those opting out in these ways are likely doing so because they are not online.”