Self-employed NRP

novagirl

We have 2 children together (one nearly 6 and one 3)which he fails to see hardly at all and doesn't contribute financially towards them either. He is now self-employed which he told me via a text working 16 hours a week, minimum wage. (He ' works' at one garage but whether this is cash in hand or he's renting part of it...who knows!)

I informed CSA and they eventually (took me having to ring again to see if there was any progress before they tried) got to speak to him and he confirmed this self-employment.

However, HMRC have no knowledge of him registering.

I've only ever received 2 payments from him in the past in January 2012 which was through a DEO.

Am I right in thinking that really he can 'fiddle' his books to show whatever earnings he wants so that he doesn't need to pay anything to his children?

Thank you

Sensemaya

novagirl wrote: »

We have 2 children together (one nearly 6 and one 3)which he fails to see hardly at all and doesn't contribute financially towards them either. He is now self-employed which he told me via a text working 16 hours a week, minimum wage. (He ' works' at one garage but whether this is cash in hand or he's renting part of it...who knows!)

I informed CSA and they eventually (took me having to ring again to see if there was any progress before they tried) got to speak to him and he confirmed this self-employment.

However, HMRC have no knowledge of him registering.

I've only ever received 2 payments from him in the past in January 2012 which was through a DEO.

Am I right in thinking that really he can 'fiddle' his books to show whatever earnings he wants so that he doesn't need to pay anything to his children?

Thank you

Have the CSA contacted the garage or just taken him at his word?

Did the CSA inform you that HMRC has no record of him registering?

As for 'fiddling' the books yes there are ways to avoid or lower maintenance payments.

All seems very dodgy to me. He also runs the risk of a fine if he doesn't register his self employment with HMRC.

I would be reporting him and keep on at the CSA. They can do more to help than they are doing.

novagirl

They have spoken to him and 'taken his word' as far as I can gather. CSA did some kind of trace(?) to HMRC which came back with him not being registered.

Thank you for your help. I'm one of these people that take people on their word if they say they are going to do something but obviously this isn't the case with CSA ~ best to keep ringing and asking!

So sad that some NRPs go to such great lengths to have money in their own pockets than provide for their children.

Sensemaya

novagirl wrote: »

They have spoken to him and 'taken his word' lazy sods as far as I can gather. CSA did some kind of trace(?) to HMRC which came back with him not being registered. Report him. You will not know the outcome from HM but you might from him.

Thank you for your help. I'm one of these people that take people on their word if they say they are going to do something but obviously this isn't the case with CSA ~ best to keep ringing and asking! You are now clued up on the CSA!

So sad that some NRPs go to such great lengths to have money in their own pockets than provide for their children.

I'm afraid some NRPs do.

Keep fighting.

PreludeForTimeFeelers

It may not just be to avoid paying child maintenance, it could also be to avoid paying tax in general.

novagirl

Just a quick update. They have now received income details from him (I was amazed!) but I have to ring back in a few weeks to know anything more as they are investigating it. What can they be investigating?

HappyMJ

novagirl wrote: »

Just a quick update. They have now received income details from him (I was amazed!) but I have to ring back in a few weeks to know anything more as they are investigating it. What can they be investigating?

Cross checking records with HMRC possibly.

novagirl

Update ~ he's now registered himself as self-employed but CSA can't do anything about payments or paying off any arrears until more 'investigation' is completed. I completely give up now with it all. Seems if you want to not provide financially for your children, all you have to do is become self-employed and only put some of the money you received through your books! Very annoying but it is now quite liberating to just let him get on with it.

At the end of the day, it's only money. I've managed this far without it so another decade isn't going to harm me.

pammii

Novagirl, please don't give up, you are your children's voices, you must keep fighting and pressing the CSA, there are so many that give up and that's why the CSA get away with their failings. There are also many of us that will not give up, keep ringing and make them do what they are supposed to :mad:

novagirl

It just seems a never ending battle Even if they do manage to do an accurate assessment, because he is self-employed he can pretty much 'hide' his actual income. HMRC don't bother with little people like him either.