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CSA making us ill

Hello, I'm new to this forum but out of desperation felt I needed to ask for some advice. My husband has a son aged 14 for whom he has had a private arrangement in place now for the last 13 years. We have 2 children together and a mortgage etc. Initially when his son was a baby the CSA made an assessment which he met, then consequently upped the amount over the years but paid direct to the PWC. As there assessment was such a low amount CSA backed off and allowed us to do this as I guess it wasn't worth their time. We can prove each payment as they were either paid by cheque or more recently standing order to the PWC. Recently we received a request for an assessment. The grounds on which the assessment was made I believe are out of spite, but regardless of her motives we are now in a position to provide this info. My husband is self employed in the construstion industry (not a great deal of work at the mo) and I look after our children (both under 5). We have a mortage etc. and last year also took out a loan for a company vehicle. We have tried to negotiate a new private arrangement with the PWC but to no avail. We are worried sick how the old rules (or even new rules) will effect our family and have been trying to find out how to calculate the figure. It's making us both ill, I can't eat I am so worried. My husband can't sleep and the mood around the house is definetly affecting our kids. Is there anybody that given the figures could give me an approx figure please? It's old rules still but there are so many variables such as an income support amount for our kids in our exempt income etc. but don't even know how much that is. We wil always contribute to his son of course but ii surely has to be a realistic figure for all parties.
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Comments

  • DUTR
    DUTR Posts: 12,958 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    You can't assume anything, good luck with your case, depends on if you are on csa 1 or 2 (can't remember when the dates became effective for csa2) if it's csa 1 then you may well need to pay less :o
    It's too late now, but never go with a private arrangement, seprated parents cannot be trusted whichever gender they are :o
  • It is CSA1, although am I right in thinking that if the PWC isn't happy with the CSA1 assessment she can just change it over to CSA2 to manipulate the system to her benefit?
  • DUTR
    DUTR Posts: 12,958 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    It is CSA1, although am I right in thinking that if the PWC isn't happy with the CSA1 assessment she can just change it over to CSA2 to manipulate the system to her benefit?

    Yes, can close the case for 13 weeks or so, if it has been running as long as it has , then there is not too long liability left , don't waste time and energy thinking what the other party maybe thinking, just do what you gotta do :beer:
  • shell_542
    shell_542 Posts: 1,333 Forumite
    There's a poster on the forums whose username is Kelloggs and a couple of numbers, sorry can't remember. If you PM her your details, she may be able to work out the figures for you for CSA1 and also perhaps advise on CSA2 if the PWC was to close the case down and open a new one. (if she has time)
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  • RAS
    RAS Posts: 36,107 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    kelloggs36
    If you've have not made a mistake, you've made nothing
  • kelloggs36
    kelloggs36 Posts: 7,712 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Do you have the net income figures? If so, then I can work out an assessment for you.
  • Hi Kellogs thanks for your reply, Yes I have the nett income etc. My husband is self emloyed and his nett earnings on the last tax return were 17613. he also made 480 in payments to pension (40 per month). I get 75 per week child tax credit. Our monthly mortgage payment is 361 and council tax 109. We have a payment protection on our mortgage of 7 per month. Also not sure if this would be considered, it states on our mortgage statement that it is a condition of our mortgage terms that we have home insurance, which is 25 per month? Something which will not be shown on our last tax return is the fact that we took out a loan for the business in October last year. This repayment is 139 per month. We have 2 children together both under 5. We had offered £25 per week maintenance which we felt was fair, but it was turned down as she thinks she can "get loads more than that". I think my family leads quite a modest lifestyle as it is, it's worrying to think how much it could be. We have always paid under direct payment to PWC and everything fine. It's so frustrating and upsetting that it is now being dealt with by the CSA. The last thing we want is for it to impact on the child and are trying so hard but it is difficult when other parties just won't make allowances. Our tax return for 10-11 will be considerably lower than 17k as we haven't had a lot of work, probably more likely to be around 13. If you could give me an idea on any of the above I would be so grateful
  • mrsspendalot
    mrsspendalot Posts: 3,238 Forumite
    edited 22 February 2011 at 1:56PM
    We had offered £25 per week maintenance which we felt was fair, but it was turned down as she thinks she can "get loads more than that".

    On a net income of around £17k, with tax credits on top, it would probably be around twice that on CSA 2. My husband used to pay around £50 a week for one child on a similar net income. Not sure about CSA1 though.

    On a net income of around £13k without taking taking any tax credits into account, it would be about £30 per week.

    I would be expecting an assessment of around £30-£40 per week once they count tax credits, assuming the PWC goes for the CSA2 option.

    Sorry it is making you feel so ill, hope you can reach a conclusion soon
    Olympic Countdown Challenge #145 ~ DFW Nerd #389 ~ Debt Free Date: [STRIKE]December 2015[/STRIKE] September 2015

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  • kelloggs36
    kelloggs36 Posts: 7,712 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Can you confirm if the figure you quoted included deductions for tax and national insurance?
  • Yes, it was 17613 after tax,NI contributions and expenses. Sorry for delay in getting back. Also the 13k estimate was taking into account the deduction of tax NI etc.
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