Tax Credits, husband working away

Toto

Hi,

We have a joint tax credits claim at the moment. However, my husband is about to go away to work in the USA for the next 2 years. I will stay here with the kids.

I understand that if he is away for more than 8 weeks I need to claim as a single person. My question is, do I need to wait until he is away for 8 weeks before I call to take him off or do I do it when he goes? Also, when he comes back for a week, do I need to call and claim again as a couple?

I will still be very much married and will still have a joint income and expenditure (all be it doubled as he is living away). I don't want to do anything wrong so would love any help please.

AimeesMum_2

Sorry I don't know the answer to your question but wanted to let you know that going from a joint claim to a single claim can take anything up to 12 weeks. You won't be recieving any money through tax credits while you are swapping to a new claim.

I don't know how much this will affect you, it was just because I have seen many posts lately about people not realising and struggling to get by. Good luck x

Toto

Thanks for your reply. I do realise that there will be a break in payments, we don't get much anyway so it won't make a massive difference. it will be a bit irritating though if I need to make a joint claim again if he is only back for a week or so then to stop that and do a single claim again when he goes.

What seems a bit wrong is that if I claim as a single person I become entitled to working tax credit. But, we are still married and I will still have access to his income. It doesn't seem right that my tax credits should go up when I am not actually a single parent.

dmg24

Is he not returning to the UK at all?

Toto

He will be, but it will be for a week here and there. He will be going next week until the end of October when he will be back for a week to 10 days, then he will be away until christmas when he will be back for another week. After that I am not sure, but he will mostly be gone for periods of 12 weeks or so.

This will carry on for up to 2 years. I can't move with him because we have a severely autistic daughter who needs special education. She needs to stay in her current school at the moment. Moving her would be a massive operation and I don't want to do that unless we are sure it is a lifelong move.

dmg24

OK, you need to establish whether he will still be classed as ordinarily resident or not. I don't think he will be, but it is up to HMRC to make that decision.

You could of course still declare his income, as you feel uncomfortable claiming as a single parent when you are not. Most people I know in your position do this.

Toto

Thanks Dmg, I will declare his income, I didn't realise they would let me do that. It doesn't sit right saying I am single when I am not.

I'll give tax credits a call in the week to figure it all out.