Does working less than 16 hours affect tax credits?

fattybooboo

Hi, hope this makes sense!! I am currently on maternity leave and am just deciding what to do about going back to work later this year. I currently work 20 hours pw and my husband works about 25 hours pw self employed. I am hoping to go back on 15 hours pw but something in the back of my mind is saying there is a benefit to doing 16 hours or over? Does anyone know if this is true or not? Thanks in advance.

clairec79

One of you has to work 16 hours so as your husband does you'll be fine (actually I think they may say 16 hours between you but him being over 16 is fine)

alwaysonthego_2

clairec79 wrote: »

One of you has to work 16 hours so as your husband does you'll be fine (actually I think they may say 16 hours between you but him being over 16 is fine)

No, one of the couple have to work at least 16 hours, but they can combined their hours to make up 30 hours. I am talking about WTC though.

karenx

if working under 16 hours you will not get help towards childcare.
but any income is taken into account. Cut off for working tax credits is 17k combined

LondonDiva

Can your OH not work full time if you drop to just under two days a week? He's currently doing just over 3 days a week and between you both, you'll only be working about 5 days total if you drop your hours.

fattybooboo

Thanks for all your replies. My husbands hours are dictated by the work he does (pet sitting) and vary quite a lot I think we have underestimated his hours, as some weeks he does many more than this, so I think we are talking about 35 hours per week for him. He works between 5 and 7 days a week. I was looking to work 3 days a week at 5 hours a day. Not sure if this will make any difference? Thanks.

karenx

It will still have to be declared the hours you will do. But with under 16 hours no help with childcare