Expat Return to UK

ConfusedExpat

A couple of days ago I posted the following, probably on the wrong forum site/page and just received a heap of abuse. If anyone can advise before I see a tax advisor it would be appreciated, expat bashing not appreciated.;)

I would appreciate any help of guidance on the following:

My husband works overseas and has done so for the past 4 years.

I am now back in the UK with our 3 children and wish to complete the normal tax, benefits admin as required.

It would appear that with my husband outside the UK tax system and me inside it I am treated as a single mother!

Can anyone tell me how to work out my UK household income? A simple question but I fear a complicated answer. Unless I can come up with a figure it is impossible to complete basic forms or applications/ i.e. with a threshold for child benifit being based on household income but with my husband overseas his income is deemed not relevant.

Confused.....

zzzLazyDaisy

This is not a question about 'cutting tax' it is a question about claiming benefits.

You posted on the benefits board and did not like the answers you got.

Frankly, it appears from your responses that you already know a lot more about this rather obscure area of benefits law than most ordinary posters, so it is difficult to know what you hope to gain by posting the same question again on a different board, where the posters are likely to have even less knowledge about benefits and overseas spouses, than posters on the benefit board.

I suggest that you seek advice in the 'real world' from the DWP (child benefits) and/or HMRC (child tax credits). Alternatively, the CAB may be able to help you.

cinderfella

Just pop into your local Revenue & Customs office, the staff should be able to access answers for your queries.:j
In fact they are pretty good at filling in the forms for you.:beer:
I am an expat myself but you can't beat free advice from the experts themselves.

SleeplessinScandinavia

You could try www.taxcafe.co.uk if you feel you're getting grief on forums like these.

I don't necessarily recommend the site, but they (used) to run a tax advice service on-line. I think they make a charge for their services though.

Best of luck

pjclar02

In my view, the HICBC is calculated by reference to "adjusted net income". If all of your husband's income is deemed non-taxable in the UK, then his adjusted net income will be £nil, and therefore the HICBC is not in point. As such, there will be no claw-back of child benefit paid in my opinion.

I started to read your post in the other forum, but stopped when I got to the post that says "why are you trying to claim benefits just because you are entitled to". It baffles me how some people's minds work.