Child tax credit when going to college

Lill111

On my Tax credit provisional letter it tells me that as of the X.08.2013 my taxcrdit will go down to X amount because my daughter is not counted as a child anymore, she left finnished her gcse's and is starting college in september but turns 16 end of july, will that mean she will not be counted for tax credits, i thought it was paid like child benefit till they leave education?

GwylimT

This is from HMRC website

If your child is staying in education

You can get Child Tax Credit for your child up to their 20th birthday, if they're in education that counts for Child Tax Credit.
Education counts for Child Tax Credit as long as it's full-time, 'non-advanced' education. Your child needs to have started, enrolled or been accepted onto a course that counts before their 19th birthday.
Full-time, non-advanced education will usually be in a school or college, studying for qualifications like:

• A levels, or similar qualifications like Pre-U or the International Baccalaureate
• Scottish Highers
• NVQ at Level 3

You can't get Child Tax Credit if your child is doing:

• higher education, such as a course at university level
• education provided by their employer
• education provided through any office they hold - for example if your child has an official role such as scout leader or councillor, and the education is provided as part of that role

'Full-time' means they're taught or supervised for more than an average of 12 hours a week during term time.

pmlindyloo

Yes, the child tax credits will continue if your daughter is continuing relevant education.

See here:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/keep-up-to-date/changes-affect/family-change/child-16.htm

This is a standard letter. You need to inform them about your daughter continuing in education.

All in the link.

Lill111

Thank you all for your answers

FRESTER

If you call them now you will receive a amended award after 1st Sept telling you what the new payments are going to be.
We have two staying in collage this year.
Our payments went back up after 1st Sept last year with no problems.

davehughes182

Dont forget to ring and inform of the fact that your child is going to college otherwise it wont change

redpanda3

I spoke to them a while back when I re-newd my claim as im in the same situ.. they told me to contact them once I know the start date of the course my daughter is doing..

Horseunderwater

redpanda3 wrote: »

I spoke to them a while back when I re-newd my claim as im in the same situ.. they told me to contact them once I know the start date of the course my daughter is doing..

Not sure why they would say that. All that is needed is the confirmation that your child is staying on at further non advanced education so that the claim can continue beyond 31st August.
The letters are sent out to all parents when the child turns 16 years old. HMRC do not need a start date for the course at all.

Shelldean

when I did this for my twins last yr, they refused to take the new information until the day it happened. So in my case 1 sept. I had to call one 1 Sept and tell them, they said this was because the computer cant action changes in advance.

MsShorty

I am currently in the same situation with my youngest son, having previously been through this with my daughter 5 years ago and my elder son 2 years ago.

You need to inform Tax Credits ASAP. While the computer will not update the change to your claim until after 1st September, tax credits can enter this information onto the system, so that your claim is automatically updated after 1st September.

I advised them that my youngest son was staying on in education, when I renewed my tax credits in May. All they need to know is the level of education they will be undertaking, e.g. A Levels, Level 3 qualification etc. No further details are required.

Last week, I phoned tax credits to advise of a further change of circumstances and, while talking to the advisor, I asked if they could confirm if the fact that my youngest son was staying on in education had been noted on my claim - they confirmed that this information was on my claim. It's as simple as that.

I usually then phone up shortly after 1st September, to ensure that the claim has updated.

hth