Use of Tax Credits as NRPs income?

13Kent

We are also on CSA 1 and our CTC and child benefit is included as part of our income.

jeanettethree

bdt1 wrote: »

Jeanette

You need to appeal this assessment, it is not legally correct, on CS1, CTC cannot legally be used as assessable income, but WTC can be if the NRP is highest earner in houshold

Thanks I will look into it again... our assesment has been relooked at 3 times now and we were told on the last occasion by a very "NICE" lady at the CSA that this is what it is and this is what you have to pay... it will not be changed again, I cannot see how the goverment tell you this is what the goverment says you need for your children in CTC but then the CSA count is as income in a assesment when the PWC already recieves CTC and WTC for the child already...

kelloggs36

I was a PWC and never got working tax credits. You can't make such assumptions about PWCs. However, if you want it really fair, don't take WTC into account but don't give discounts for step children (natural children only).

bdt1

13Kent wrote: »

We are also on CSA 1 and our CTC and child benefit is included as part of our income.

Please appeal this assessment - it is incorrect!!!!

CSA cannot legally (on CS1) include child benefit, child tax credits as assessable income. They can ONLY ever use working tax credits as assessable income if the NRP is the highest wage earner in their household.

APPEAL ASAP - in writing of course, recorded delivery etc etc

13Kent

Am a bit worried that if we appeal the assessment will go up - we have not had an assessement go in our favour once yet!

Since our last assessment a couple of years ago my OH has had a couple of pay rises (not huge ones) but on the other hand our mortgage has increased by £200 a month (which would probably cancel out the pay rises), and the children are now older, so the carers allowance element should have reduced, but they could have been including nearly about £170 a month in child benefit/ CTC as part of our income.

Hmm it's really hard as we don't want to rock the boat and be worse off!! It would be so much easier if we were on CSA 2 - it seems to be a much easier system, and at least you could calculate yourself what the assessment should be!

bdt1

13Kent wrote: »

Am a bit worried that if we appeal the assessment will go up - we have not had an assessement go in our favour once yet!

Since our last assessment a couple of years ago my OH has had a couple of pay rises (not huge ones) but on the other hand our mortgage has increased by £200 a month (which would probably cancel out the pay rises), and the children are now older, so the carers allowance element should have reduced, but they could have been including nearly about £170 a month in child benefit/ CTC as part of our income.

Hmm it's really hard as we don't want to rock the boat and be worse off!! It would be so much easier if we were on CSA 2 - it seems to be a much easier system, and at least you could calculate yourself what the assessment should be!

Kelloggs is a true gem, and is one of the few who understand fully the CS1 calculation, if you ask her she may oblige and work out the assessment correctly if you supply full details eg council tax, mortgage payments (and if interest only), children's ages, NRP wage, CTC, WTC, plus if there are any departures in place regarding mortgage payments and NRPP contriution.

If you PM Kelloggs she is very helpful and her experience is widely sought after. If not you could ask NACSA, they offer a similar service but charge (don't quote me ) approx £20-£30, cannot remember exact fee but will be on their website.

You may have been paying too much for some time, please seek advice

bdt1

But if CTC/child benefit £170 monthly, yet mortgage gone up by £200, and they incorrectly used the £170 as income, and not used your higher mortgage payment, suspect you have overpad significantly, on top of fact that carer allowance should be removed at the correct age - as long as no departure in place regarding NRPP ability to contribute to housing, whereby mortgage/housing allowance may be halved (does NRPP earn more than NRP?)

Please PM Kelloggs or conatct NACSA

13Kent

Thanks bdt1, no the NRPP does not earn more than then NRP. Will ask Kelloggs if she would mind doing a calculation.

jeanettethree

13Kent wrote: »

Am a bit worried that if we appeal the assessment will go up - we have not had an assessement go in our favour once yet!.
Hmm it's really hard as we don't want to rock the boat and be worse off!! It would be so much easier if we were on CSA 2 - it seems to be a much easier system, and at least you could calculate yourself what the assessment should be!

My feelings Exactly .... this is how the Csa makes you feel ? you darent tell them anything incase they want to bleed even more money from you. My husband has paid and supported his daughter since the day she was born we take her on holiday every year plus all the money we spend on her when we have her here does any of that get taken into account ?? NO ! I love my stepdaughter as much as my own children but it breaks my heart when I cant do things with my children because of the extortionate amount of CSA we have to pay has left us with no money whatsoever ...

JulietAmber_2

My partner has just had his assessment. He brings home £90 a week and up until now has been giving his ex £20 a week. Now, the CSA have said he had to give £44 a week as they have taken my ctc into account. I know it doesn't sound much but this basically means that my partner is only able to put about £20 a week into the house 'kitty' and things are pretty tight. His ex, meanwhile, has just announced to us that his backpayments (about £180) have just paid for the downpayment on her new BMW!