Tax Credit Confusion

Nikkisun

I've tried searching the answer to this but am getting conflicting answers so I'm still confused.

My eldest son is 18 and due to go to Uni in October, obviously I will stop getting tax credits for him but my question is when do they stop?

I've read that they continue until 31st August (and that I shouldn't inform tax credits until then) but I've also read that they should stop as of the date of his last exam which would mean I've been overpaid the last 6 weeks :eek:

Can anyone help - I know I could ring tax credits but to be honest every other time I have then no two people seem to have the same answer.

Icequeen99

Nikkisun wrote: »

I've tried searching the answer to this but am getting conflicting answers so I'm still confused.

My eldest son is 18 and due to go to Uni in October, obviously I will stop getting tax credits for him but my question is when do they stop?

I've read that they continue until 31st August (and that I shouldn't inform tax credits until then) but I've also read that they should stop as of the date of his last exam which would mean I've been overpaid the last 6 weeks :eek:

Can anyone help - I know I could ring tax credits but to be honest every other time I have then no two people seem to have the same answer.

If he is going to uni, then it will be 31st August.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/tctmanual/TCTM02230.htm which says:

The Child Tax Credit Regulations 2002, Regulation 5
CTC can be paid for a qualifying young person up to and including the last day they undertake full-time non-advanced education, approved training or they reach age 20, whichever is the sooner, providing they meet all the other qualifying conditions.

Where a qualifying young person intends to continue their full-time education but at advanced level CTC can be paid to:

the last day of the academic year (31 August), or
if before 31 August the date the young person changed their mind and decided not to continue their education.
Example

A claimant telephones on 27 August to inform tax credits that her daughter has found work. The claimant states that although her daughter had originally intended to go to university, following her exam results she had decided to look for a job instead and has now found work. She is asked what date her daughter made the decision to look for work and not go to university. This date is given as the 21 August. CTC can therefore be paid to the 20 August.

Nikkisun

Thank you - that's a great help - was worried I was going to have to pay what I've had back!!