Interview with OR tomorrow! incomings and outgoings

Bullyhead

Hi all, hope someone could offer some advice on the following.
Recently went Bankrupt, caused by gambling and split from partner.
I currently pay her maintenance, the amount which we have agreed privately.
It is in excess of the 20% of net income, which is the guide for 2 kids.
This provides my ex partner with the means to do things with the kids and provide them with a decent upbringing.
Also, it's not easy bringing 2 young kids up on her own, and she doesn't get much of a break.
I fully expect the OR to make me reduce this down.

The ex would in no way be happy with this!

In order to keep things sweet, I would need to take approximately 6 weeks per year, statutory unpaid parental leave from york, each year, until I could pay her our agreed amount. This would be to ease the pressure off my ex partner, and would only be fair to provide in bringing up my kids.

1st Question - How would the OR veiw this and would they allow me to keep paying her this increased amount.

2nd Question - I would want to give a true reflection of my earnings for 2013, so should I factor in these 6 weeks unpaid leave? Seems only fair!?

3rd Question - I guess I'll be in a NT tax code, until April, but assuming there are no additional funds, this will end (not suspended) in april, when I get my new tax code won't it?

Thanks for your help in advance

tiggerbodhi

Bullyhead wrote: »

1st Question - How would the OR veiw this and would they allow me to keep paying her this increased amount. My experience that this was not questioned, I have a private arrangement rather than the CSA calculation, about 25% more, the OR never even mentioned it.

2nd Question - I would want to give a true reflection of my earnings for 2013, so should I factor in these 6 weeks unpaid leave? Seems only fair!? Not sure on this one, you are intentionally reducing your income, I mooted this with the OR as could take a lower paid more interesting job, nothing he coudl do to stop it, but got the impression if you don't play "fair" its his bat and ball and makes the rules so prepare for them being very stricly adhered to, sure someone with experience of this will be along!

3rd Question - I guess I'll be in a NT tax code, until April, but assuming there are no additional funds, this will end (not suspended) in april, when I get my new tax code won't it? Yes spot on, the NT code last until the end of the tax year, if you are paying an IPA keep the standing orders to MB seperate forthe IPA and NT tax so you can stop it when you see it dissappear from your pay packet.

Thanks for your help in advance

If you ony went BR recently the NT code probably wont be for long, took HMRC/OR three months to get it sorted out, then MB another three weeks to write and ask for it.

Good luck...:)

tigerfeet2006

In our area the OR was pretty hot on only allowing what the CSA would allow. So I would say that you are going to have to just see if the OR mentions your figures at all and if he does question them then you need to explain your circumstances and put your case to him. Get all your ducks in a row and make sure you make notes as to why you give your ex that amount, make your case so when/if he does ask then you have it in front of you. Make the strongest case you can.

tigerfeet2006

I've just spoken to a friend about your 2nd question.

2nd Question - I would want to give a true reflection of my earnings for 2013, so should I factor in these 6 weeks unpaid leave? Seems only fair!?

He says it is an unusual question, in his opinion, they would not base the IPA on the basis that you would take unpaid leave they will base it on your full expected contract, so the IPA would be exactly the same, if you did at some point need to take unpaid leave then the IPA would accordingly be reduced or suspended for that month.

Having given it some thought myself and knowing what the IS were like in my area I would probably agree with him. But having said all that OR's take individual circumstances and follow the guidelines as they see fit. So we can speculate but we can't say yes or no, if a happens then the OR will do z etc.

All the best for the interview. Have all your notes in front of your. Don't forget a list of questions you want to ask. A drink of water for you to sip. Answer the question asked and keep to the facts, don't waffle. If you don't know something, say so. If you need a break, say so. Don't try and fill in any silences with small talk as the examiner will be concentrating on writing things down.

JCS1

Unpaid parental leave is 13 weeks per child up to the age of 5 (increasing to 18 weeks per child up to age of 18 from March 2013), there is also a limit of 4 weeks per year, unless the company agrees to more.

https://www.gov.uk/parental-leave/overview