Tax Credits/Child benefit question

glitterygirl

I am about to seperate from my husband who I have 1 child with.
I claim child benefit for this child so will be now claiming tax credits (Have not previously been entitled to this as both salaries were too high combined)

I also have another child from a previous relationship but his father claims the child benefit. He is being a bit funny about signing over the child benefit for that child to me.

Does anyone know if I can still claim tax credits for 2 children even though I only claim child benefit for one?

Thanks

zagfles

See http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/tctmanual/TCTM02204.htm

glitterygirl

Would appear from that link that his father will be granted the main carer based on the fact that he is registered at his address for school & doctors.
He lives with us equal amounts & we both have equal parenting responsibilities.

His father does not claim tax credits for him, just child benefit. So do you think he can continue to claim CB & I claim the TC?

zagfles

Possibly - the regulations are quite woolly, so if he agrees that you're the "main carer" you can probably claim. Not sure what that'd do to his child benefit claim though!

DX2

glitterygirl wrote: »

Would appear from that link that his father will be granted the main carer based on the fact that he is registered at his address for school & doctors.
He lives with us equal amounts & we both have equal parenting responsibilities.

His father does not claim tax credits for him, just child benefit. So do you think he can continue to claim CB & I claim the TC?

Define equal amounts? There are only seven days in a week so no matter how much you try the child cannot live with you both equally. During a week where does the child sleep overnight at the most, you or your ex?

glitterygirl

DX2 wrote: »

Define equal amounts? There are only seven days in a week so no matter how much you try the child cannot live with you both equally. During a week where does the child sleep overnight at the most, you or your ex?

if you look at it in a 2 week period it is equal.

2 days during the week with me, 2 days with his father & alternate weekends.

DX2

glitterygirl wrote: »

if you look at it in a 2 week period it is equal.

2 days during the week with me, 2 days with his father & alternate weekends.

But I don't believe they look at it this way I'm afraid.

glitterygirl

DX2 wrote: »

But I don't believe they look at it this way I'm afraid.

Well one week he is with me more & then the next he is with his dad more.

DX2

glitterygirl wrote: »

Well one week he is with me more & then the next he is with his dad more.

I understand what you are saying honestly I do, however the benefit system isn't geared up for shared care. You will find that tax credits use the same criteria as CB for assessing shared care. Which you have already stated that the child's father would be deemed the main carer.