Tax credits - opinions needed !!

pringb

Hi

A close member of my extended family currently claim tax credits for childcare as she lives apart from her husband. She is intending to move back into their family home but still need the tax credits to survive. Their intention is for one of them to sleep in a caravan at the bottom of the garden even though they will live together during the day. They have confirmed on the phone to the Tax Credit office that this is a legitimate loophole but I would welcome your thoughts as I feel they could face a serious problem down the line.

Thanks.

Scarlett1

that cant be right surely as they would be be regarded at living at the same address, so that would mean that people can claim as a lone parent and have their OH kip outside in a tent in the garden and that would be considered ok I personally think thats rubbish but who knows

cheepskate_2

it used to be that if you did not stay in the same household , that you could get away with it. About 2 years ago they changed it so that partners living in seperate households would be classed as 1 household. cant remember the exact details but this situation would be classed as 1 household, Sometimes the tax credit people do not know the correct answer to some q's that are not asked often and will answer wrongly sometimes

nats3006

:eek: that cant be right!! in that case where is that tent i used to have *hmmmm*

niccy

now i'm no solicitor, but i was reading a law book just the other night which says (i kid you not) that you can be seperated and live under the same roof:eek: , you shouldn't be having brekky together:D or sleeping in the same bed:rotfl:
i will find the book later if you all disbelieve me:p

nats3006

niccy wrote: »

now i'm no solicitor, but i was reading a law book just the other night which says (i kid you not) that you can be seperated and live under the same roof:eek: , you shouldn't be having brekky together:D or sleeping in the same bed:rotfl:
i will find the book later if you all disbelieve me:p

:eek: :eek: :eek:
OMG is all that springs to mind!!!
i honestly cant believe this is true!! (not saying your a liar mind )

CIS

This is the part that defines whether you are a couple or not
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/ccmmanual/CCM15080.htm

If you use the next link at the bottom of the page, the next 3 or 4 pages are also quite interesting

joanneb_2

Hi

If you are in a relationship with a person and they are living in the caravan at he bottom of the garden then their address is the same as the person living in the house therefore they are counted as living in the same household. As the relationship is that of any couple such as doing the others laundry, food shopping for one another and cooking togther, dependant children and finances then they have to make a joint claim. Married couples dont alway sleep togther so whether he is in the same bed, bedroom next door or in a caravan at the bottom of the garden, they need to make a joint claim. It is aslo correct that married couples who live in different houses need to make a join claim if they run their day to day lives like any other married couple who live under the same roof.

There is no such loophole! Be very careful if you are thinking of doing this.

niccy

cor nats:rotfl:

LAW WITHOUT A LAWYER BY FENTON BRESLER.

"further more seperation does not necessarily mean you must have lived under seperate roofs.the courts accept there can be financial or economic reasons why people have to go on living under the same roof,without actually living together.it suffices if there has been two seperate households under one roof.

Why i was reading that just picked it up,very happy married if wifey reads this:o

anyway there yer go, not sure how old book is .just looked 2000 or whether its right

dooby

I'd make them give me it in writing but it's a brilliant loophole if it's true.

pringb

Many thanks for replying guys and the link CIS - excellent stuff. I was thinking along the same lines, really not sure how they can put two separate addresses on the same application. Good idea about getting it in writing, will speak to them. I'm worried they're going to get hit further down the line and get stung with a huge bill...will let you know if I find out anything interesting.