Tax credits whilst working abroad as self-employed

Hellotax

I am self-employed and have been receiving tax credits in the last couple of tax years. I am planning to work abroad full time as a self-employed person for better opportunities there, but my two children and wife will stay in the UK. Will this stop our entitlement to the working tax credit as well as the child tax credits that we have been receiving? Anyone's advice will be greatly appreciated. Many thanks in advance.

pmlindyloo

According to this link http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/start/claiming/get-started/joint-single-claim.htm

if you work abroad for more than 8 weeks then your joint claim must end but your partner can make a single claim if she is eligible.

Icequeen99

Hellotax wrote: »

I am self-employed and have been receiving tax credits in the last couple of tax years. I am planning to work abroad full time as a self-employed person for better opportunities there, but my two children and wife will stay in the UK. Will this stop our entitlement to the working tax credit as well as the child tax credits that we have been receiving? Anyone's advice will be greatly appreciated. Many thanks in advance.

To claim tax credits you have to be 'present' in the UK. As PMlindyloo says there are rules that allow temporary absence and still treat you as in the UK, but if you are going to be away more than 8 weeks at a time your joint claim will end and your wife will have to claim as a single person.

Your income won't be taken into account on a single claim, but she will only get WTC if she meets the conditions.

When you come back into the UK, the single claim will need to end and a joint claim be made.

It can be really messy if you leave and come back a lot.

IQ

paddedjohn

How much are you going to be earning to make it worthwhile leaving your wife and kids?