Newbie WTC Help

dx052

I have started a job recently and I earn less than 17K a year. I am a single male & I rent a small studio flat. I have just been on the DWP website and also the HMRC website and it seems as though I qualify for WTC. Firstly is it based purely on my earnings or will it also take into consideration what I pay in rent? Am I right in saying that I have to download a form or can I do it online now? and will they back date it? sorry this is all new to me. Thanks

zagfles

It's based purely on your earnings. Rent is irrelevant (housing benefit/LHA is for rent).

You won't get WTC long term on £17k if you're single and no disabilities, but you might get it this year & next year as your taxable income over this tax year and last is used to calculate entitlement, and if you only recently started working your income over this tax year and last is presumably a lot lower.

dx052

Funny you say that! on the HMRC website calculator it did say payable up until sometime in April 2012. I suppose I may as well claim if I can get something back.

kingfisherblue

It also depends on how old you are. If you are under 25, you are unlikely to qualify.

dx052

I am over 40..