My ex is fiddling his income, can the CSA investigate

leighliz

Hi

I have been dealing with the CSA since October 2001 and have had nothing but problems. My ex's income has suddenly dropped from in excess of £40,000 p.a. to £15,000. However he still maintains his lavish lifestyle. He has done this in the past and the CSA discovered that he was not declaring all of his income. They have now done another search through his NI number but cannot locate another employer. My theory is he is on the fiddle and that maybe his new partner is helping him. Unfortunately, without following them both I am unable to proove this. I have heard that their is a department called the Criminal Complainance Dept that can check these things out. I just wanted to know if anybody has had any experience of this department, and if they are any good at what they do. Many thanks for any advise.

N71

The CSA can do what they call a variation on 'Lifestyle inconsistent with income' if for instance he's claiming to live on £75 a week, but is driving around in a brand new BMW and taking exotic holidays every couple of months - but its very difficult to prove and a lot of it is down to you to provide proof.

For the basic CSA calculation, they can only act on info provided by you/him/employer or inland revenue. If he's not declaring income to the Inland Revenue theres not much the CSA can do.

You could report him to the Inland Revenue for fraud but i'm not sure what evidence they'd need to make them invesigate.

kelloggs36

You can ask for the case to be referred but they will need some strong suspicions first. The do have the power to access bank accounts to see if the money going it tallys up with what they are declaring, and could get him on that if you know who he banks with.

As for lifestyle, these are so hard (though not impossible) to prove. He could claim that he is sustaining his lifestyle by credit cards or his partner pays, in which case you are on to a loser. The Tribunal (as you will certainly have to go to one in order to fight it as it will automatically be rejected) can ask him to provide evidence of his income by way of accounts, or payslips and bank accounts and credit card statements to prove what he is claiming in defence. You have nothing to lose by applying for a Variation, but don't get your hopes up as it is a very long-winded process.

changkra

I have never been in a CSA position so i don't understand it but when the none resident parent fills in the forms stating how much income etc they have a month are they not required to send proof of this? such as wage slips and utility bills as evidence?

TheWaltons_3

leighliz wrote: »

Hi

I have been dealing with the CSA since October 2001 and have had nothing but problems. My ex's income has suddenly dropped from in excess of £40,000 p.a. to £15,000. However he still maintains his lavish lifestyle. He has done this in the past and the CSA discovered that he was not declaring all of his income. They have now done another search through his NI number but cannot locate another employer. My theory is he is on the fiddle and that maybe his new partner is helping him. Unfortunately, without following them both I am unable to proove this. I have heard that their is a department called the Criminal Complainance Dept that can check these things out. I just wanted to know if anybody has had any experience of this department, and if they are any good at what they do. Many thanks for any advise.

So he has been paying the percentage of 40k to you since 2001?

Why is that your theory? Perhaps he doesn't want to work so much for many reasons, all of which are nothing to do with you really. Is this affecting your child? I should imagine it does grate on you that your money has been reduced, but then it may be grating on him too. Without proof, as you say, it is just a theory.

Perhaps he is poorly, perhaps he has had his hours cut... I can understand why you are taking this personally, however, he is not beholden to you at all and what he chooses to do with his career is between himself and his new partner.

Lavish lifestyles are lived by everyone it would seem - all living above their means and in debt - they have nice cars yet they can't afford the petrol that goes into them.

niccy

[/QUOTE] Unfortunately, without following them both I am unable to proove this[/QUOTE

have a go at following them,maybe that way you can find out what you need to know.

and it could be fun

don't get caught

Mr_Green_Genes

changkra wrote: »

I have never been in a CSA position so i don't understand it but when the none resident parent fills in the forms stating how much income etc they have a month are they not required to send proof of this? such as wage slips and utility bills as evidence?

Wage slips certainly but utility bills wouldn't be any use. What of course can't get picked up is any cash in hand transactions. And self employment, as a lot of PWCs unfortunately know, can be a complete nightmare.

TheWaltons_3

Mr_Green_Genes wrote: »

Wage slips certainly but utility bills wouldn't be any use. What of course can't get picked up is any cash in hand transactions. And self employment, as a lot of PWCs unfortunately know, can be a complete nightmare.

From several situations I know of, the PWC has benifited greatly from their partner being self-employed, thus fiddling and reaping the benefits.... until it all goes sour... then they aren't so pleased about it.

kelloggs36

Not in my case - it has taken 7 years of fighting to prove that my ex earns more than 120 per week as a self employed builder. No cash in hand payments to me were ever made, nor have I ever claimed any benefits, so it doesn't help MOST PWCs at all.

TheWaltons_3

kelloggs36 wrote: »

Not in my case - it has taken 7 years of fighting to prove that my ex earns more than 120 per week as a self employed builder. No cash in hand payments to me were ever made, nor have I ever claimed any benefits, so it doesn't help MOST PWCs at all.

I was meaning, that when couples are together and one is self-employed getting cash in hand.. this often benifits them as a couple... until they split up.

THis would be frustrating if you KNEW they were doing this and couldn't prove it... but to surmise it, is something different.

Jet

TheWaltons wrote: »

From several situations I know of, the PWC has benifited greatly from their partner being self-employed, thus fiddling and reaping the benefits.... until it all goes sour... then they aren't so pleased about it.

My ex husband was PAYE all the 12 years we were together. Within 3 months of us splitting up he went self employed and I've received £60 in nearly 5 years.