A joint clame Working tax

cornishblues

Hi all

Ill cut a long story short.

A couple of years ago I was overpaid working tax credit up to the value of 1000 pounds, due to the fact that I became a student for a year and although I was still working students are exempt from WTC. So I shouldn't of received WTC for that year. For nearly two years I didn't hear anything from HMRC but now they wont their money back.

I now live with my girlfriend and Iam no longer a student. We fit into the criteria to receive WTC. So if we made a joint clame would they allow us the credits or would they instead take the money off that I owe them until the outstanding balance is paid.

Thanks

Aiden

skateykatey

Firstly, students are not exempt from WTC providing they meet all the criteria.
How old were you when you claimed,how many hours a week were you paid for and, did you have a disability (according to HMRC).

In direct answer to your question, you should claim again but you would need to make separate arrangments to repay your overpayment. It cannot be offset against any new entitlement as it is a new claim.

cornishblues

Thanks for your response.

Good question I cant really remember, I worked around 30 ish hours a week and received £52 a week from WTC.

So if my girlfriend makes a joint claim for us. And I call HMRC and agree to make repayments on my debt, this will be ok ?

Aiden

skateykatey

If i were you, I would find out the reason behind the overpayment as you may still be able to dispute it. Basically, (assuming you have no disabilities or children) you would of have to have been aged 25 or over, working for 30 hours a week to be entitled to WTC. The fact that you were a student is irrelevant as long as the entitlement conditions were met.

and, yes. you and your girlfriend make a new joint claim and the debt is yours entirely to repay/dispute etc