Child Benefit Repayment

bigbadandy

I forgot to opt out of child benefit for being a higher earning, so I have had to go in and register for self-assessment. I was hoping I could repay the money as part of my 2013/14 tax code rather than a lump sum; it seemed to indicate this was possible whilst completing the form. However when I get to the end it says the full amount is payable by 31st Jan 2014. Is it not possible to add child benefit to your 2013/14 tax code.

I spotted this on the website:

If you are liable for the High Income Child Benefit charge you can choose to pay it in a lump sum through Self Assessment, or through your tax code from 6 April 2013.
Tax codes showing a deduction for the High Income Child Benefit charge will be issued during April 2013. They will replace any earlier tax code you may have received for the 2013-14 tax year.
If you choose to pay the tax charge through your tax code you will still need to complete a Self Assessment tax return.

I guess this could mean that you can only do it for child benefit received since 6th April 2013, rather than when you actually complete the self-assessment - any ideas?

nickmack

I am in the same situation. I wasn't sure of my final earnings for the Tax Year 2012-2013 when this High Income Benefit Charge was brought it.


As it turns out, I exceeded the threshold, so I completed a Self Assessment and was told I must repay about £900.


It looks like you cannot pay this through your Tax Code, as it is now due for that Tax Year. I am going to call HMRC to confirm, but I am pretty sure you should be planning to pay up in full before the end of the month.

nickmack

Well, I just called HMRC and to my surprise, they confirmed that as the Tax Return was submitted before the end of last year, I can make the repayments in my Tax Code starting April 2014.

thecornflake

I've just come across this. Due to moving over Xmas I only just got around to doing the tax return. It states that you can only pay the money back via your tax code if you completed the return before 30th December 2013