Split Parents and Working Family Tax Entitlements

nannytone_2

so what happens once he has given his job up and she decides to use childcare after all?

ge'll have no income for voluntarily leaving his jpb and even less to provide for his kids!

he has to call her bluff or she'll be telling him what to do forever!

he shouldnt feel bad... she should!

shes the one unilaterally making all the decidions

strawberri_shortcake

BigAunty wrote: »

Probably because the govt is not willing to micromanage the finances and care of children involved in a parental relationship breakdown and neither can the systems cope with every degree between 0 and 100% of shared costs/care. There are some areas of family matters that are simply down to negotiation and are to be resolved at the personal level.

BigAunty. When a man and a woman are married and conceive children in love and one at leasts expects to be a family forever, I fail to see how either parent should be penalised by having to award the other as the "primary carer" when one person decides to step outside of the family arrangement. Other countries manage 50/50 custody without such a ridiculous system.

I don't expect the "government" to get involved in "0-100%" of shared costs. In fact, it is not nitty gritty "cost" that I am referring to. My opening statement wonders why when two parents share EQUAL custody does one still pay the other maintenance, why does only one receive working family tax and why does only one receive child benefit. Not to be vulgar about money, but because it simply doesn't make sense.

[Deleted User]

No the benefits system does not support lifestyle choices. Could the Man in question claim childcare vouchers via his Employer?

strawberri_shortcake

The hard working man in question, sadly, doesn't even have an annual appraisal from his employer!

clearingout

these things are rarely what they seem.....

I wouldn't personally arrange childcare on behalf of my ex because it would be my name on the agreements meaning I was liable for payment. I don't think there's anything unreasonable about that. She may well be eligible to receive the childcare element of tax credits (is she working at least 16 hours week on a low/average wage?) but she may have concerns about claiming them on her ex's 'time' with the children, particulalry if he is going to top up what she receives. It is also worth saying that if her name isn't on the childcare contract then she shouldn't be claiming tax credit - which kind of means we're going round in circles? It'll be her who has to pay the tax credit back if all isn't above board, isn't it?

There is nothing at all to stop him arranging afterschool care himself - she may not want the children to attend but that is up to the parent they are in the care of/staying overnight with. Has he looked into the cost? He might be surprised at the cost - some schools charge per session rather than by the hour which makes it cheaper than you'd expect.

All things considered, I would have concerns about entering into such an arrangement and would dig my heels in if my ex demanded the same of me.