HELP - Child Tax Credit Form

lucy_w86

I am trying to complete the form for child tax credits and I am confused.

Basically, I worked full time until August 2010 when I went on maternity leave. I am claiming as a single parent as I do not live with my bf. I earned around £22K last tax year (2009 - 2010) and my expected income, including SMP for this year is around £14K. I completed the entitled to online check and it said I was entitled to some child tax credit.

I am trying to complete the form and have declared my actual salary for the last tax year. I have no additional income. It says to say 'yes' to working even if you are on maternity leave, so I did. It says put your hours even if you are on maternity leave (the hours I would of worked had I not been on leave), so I did.

Nowhere on the form does it say about expected income for tax year 2010 - 2011. Its obviously a lot less than last years but there is nowhere for me to state I am on SMP and declare my estimated income. Therefore, how do they work out my entitlement for tax credits?

Thanks!

alwaysonthego_2

Did you knock off £100 per week for your SMP?

TC are based on last year's income so if your estimated income is lower then you need to contact them and ask them to work out your award notice on this year's estimated income, however do not underestimate otherwise you'll get an overpayment.

lucy_w86

alwaysonthego wrote: »

Did you knock off £100 per week for your SMP?

TC are based on last year's income so if your estimated income is lower then you need to contact them and ask them to work out your award notice on this year's estimated income, however do not underestimate otherwise you'll get an overpayment.

I dont need to deduct anything as I have only been on maternity leave this year, not next. It says to only deduct £100 if on SMP last tax year.

What is TC?

There is nowhere on the form to put estimated income for this year on there so how do they know its lower?

Thank you.

d123

lucy_w86 wrote: »

What is TC?


Thank you.

Tax Credits

lucy_w86

d123 wrote: »

Tax Credits

Blonde moment - thanks!

alwaysonthego_2

lucy_w86 wrote: »

I dont need to deduct anything as I have only been on maternity leave this year, not next. It says to only deduct £100 if on SMP last tax year.

What is TC?

There is nowhere on the form to put estimated income for this year on there so how do they know its lower?

Thank you.

You need to phone them.

lucy_w86

alwaysonthego wrote: »

You need to phone them.

If its based on last years income, I assume this years income is of no use to them then? Its all so confusing!

When I completed another online entitled to check, nowhere did I mention this years income.

Thank you.

alwaysonthego_2

lucy_w86 wrote: »

If its based on last years income, I assume this years income is of no use to them then? Its all so confusing!

When I completed another online entitled to check, nowhere did I mention this years income.

Thank you.

TCs are based on last year's income but you can request them to base it on this year's.

lucy_w86

alwaysonthego wrote: »

TCs are based on last year's income but you can request them to base it on this year's.

Ok.

As there is nowhere to do this on the form, I guess I need to speak to them on the phone.

alwaysonthego_2

lucy_w86 wrote: »

Ok.

As there is nowhere to do this on the form, I guess I need to speak to them on the phone.

Yes you do, but please re-read my first post on this thread before you do so.

lucy_w86

I have just read this on the direct gov website:

'when you make your actual claim, you must enter last year’s income on the form - this is because your first tax credits award is always based on your previous year’s income

once you’ve got your Award Notice, tell the Tax Credit Office straightaway if your income goes down - they will use this new figure to re-work your tax credits'

So the first bit is based on last year and then when I get my letter, I call them and say this year I am only earning 'x' amount so a new figure gets generated.