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cONFUSED ABOUT WORKING TAX CREDIT

:mad: Over the last 10 years I have been a fulltime carer for my son, who is disabled and who receives DLA. I was awarded Carer's allowance. I have recently taken a local job at a school offering 25 hours a week term times and as such I lose my Carer's benefit...as it is over 16hours a week. I was told by friends, however, that I would still be eligible for Working Tax Credit.

I really need help as I am now being taxed and paying a small PAYE pension.

However, even though me and my husband's family income remains below £30,000 pa, I am constantly denied WTC.

Can anyone help with a simple explanation? Is there an income cut-off for WTC. We get a little Child Tax Credit each month but it really feels like I have been penalised by returning to work!!

You comments appreciated.
Wilkies5

Comments

  • dmg24
    dmg24 Posts: 33,920 Forumite
    10,000 Posts
    If you have a joint income of anywhere near £30,000, you will not get WTC. How much is your total household income?
    Gone ... or have I?
  • zagfles
    zagfles Posts: 21,574 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Chutzpah Haggler
    With the 30 hour element and no childcare or worker disabilities the cut off is about £18k, then CTC starts being reduced.

    WTC is assessed jointly, your friends who get it may not have working husbands.
  • sleepless_saver
    sleepless_saver Posts: 2,741 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture
    edited 6 January 2011 at 11:21PM
    wilkies5 wrote: »
    I have recently taken a local job at a school offering 25 hours a week term times and as such I lose my Carer's benefit...as it is over 16hours a week. I was told by friends, however, that I would still be eligible for Working Tax Credit.

    I really need help as I am now being taxed and paying a small PAYE pension.
    .

    It's not been stopped because you work over 16 hours, it's because your income (after tax, NI, and half your pension payment are deducted) is over £100 per week.

    If you are paid weekly you can claim carers allowance, after one week of not working, for weeks when you don't work. Same if you are paid monthly, except the waiting period is one month. So, for example, you could still get carers allowance in summer hols if you are monthly paid.

    Also if you have recently started work, check you are on the right tax code, it should probably be 647L. If it is BR, you will be overpaying tax.
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