csa question

LJ1

just been looking at the csa calculator and web site.
Husband earns basic wage eg 40000 but
also will receive commission and bonus throughout the year which i would expect will potentialy double his income to at least 80000 and perhaps even more than that - i think last year he probably earned over 100000. He believes as his basic wage is only 40k and commission and bonus are not guarenteed (but he is really expected to earn that leval of income otherwise hed be out of a job) that these dont really count towards the calculation. When you look at the csa calculator it does not (as far as i can see) show anywhere you would include commission and bonus.
Is he right? does anyone know.
If he is not right then how do the csa people take into account commission and bonus etc when calc payments to be made.
At the moment we have a voluntary arrangement in place - which i am happy about and i am not in disagreement with -however im starting to get bit fed up with being told he is paying more than he should be when perhaps he is paying what he should be - just want to ensure fair amount is being paid

Donedoingdebt

The CSA will take into account any income including commission & bonuses.
To make a fair assessment, the CSA may take into account monthly payslips for up to the last 12 months.
The net income, including bonuses & commission will be averaged out over the year & his assessment figure will be derived from this amount.

For example: Basic take home per month - £2500

Net bonus/commission - 4 months @ £2000, 4 months @ £2500, 4 months @ £3000 - average works out @ £2500

Add the basic & the average net bonus/commission figures & the sum is £5000 per month.

Divide this by 52 & you're left with a weekly net income of £1153.85 to be used in the assessment.

The weekly assessment will be: 15% for 1 child - £173.08
20% for 2 children - £230.77
25% for 3 or more - £288.46

He will receive an allowance of one seventh off these figures for each overnight stay for each child over the yearly average. (52 nights, 104 nights 156 nights etc)

When the new CMEC rules are used, these figures will be 12%, 16% & I'm not sure of the last one but will assume 20% of gross pay rather than the present net pay.

LJ1

thank you very much for the above advise -
the arrangement we have in place at the moment is fine
i would say your example is almost a true reflection of the position i am in
so on that basis what he is paying is about right - so that makes me feel a bit easier.
my husband at the moment is branding about he is paying over the odds - i believe his income from last year will be well over the 100k mark -
some months he has earned almost what i earn in a year in one month.
i have no wish to rock the boat at the moment however if things become awkward in the future - i know the csa is available to use.
its just helpful to know that he is wrong when he says as commission and bonus are not guarenteed they are not counted.

pd001

LJ1 wrote: »

At the moment we have a voluntary arrangement in place - which i am happy about and i am not in disagreement with -however im starting to get bit fed up with being told he is paying more than he should be when perhaps he is paying what he should be - just want to ensure fair amount is being paid

How are the voluntary payments being made?
Are they fully documented in the eyes of the CSA?

Please ensure that you are not making cash payments, direct to either the PWC or the child / ren concerned, as these payments would not be counted as child support in the eyes of the CSA should they ever become involved.

LJ1

he pays by cheque every month - gives it to my daughter when he sees her (which im not too happy about) id prefer he paid it into my bank -
if he pays by cheque is this ok - would it be better to be direct debit - had not really thought about this - thanks for pointing it out

pd001

LJ1 wrote: »

he pays by cheque every month - gives it to my daughter when he sees her (which im not too happy about) id prefer he paid it into my bank -
if he pays by cheque is this ok - would it be better to be direct debit - had not really thought about this - thanks for pointing it out

From your point of view, its definitly ok for you to continue to receive cheque payments from him, via your daughter. Not a problem at all, if as you say, a voluntary agreement is in force.

From his point of view then he should be properly documenting all payments he is making to you. Not your problem though

DUTR

LJ1 wrote: »

he pays by cheque every month - gives it to my daughter when he sees her (which im not too happy about) id prefer he paid it into my bank -
if he pays by cheque is this ok - would it be better to be direct debit - had not really thought about this - thanks for pointing it out

He would have to do it by standing order not direct debit.