Self Employed & CSA Questions

cliffjumper_2

Hi,


Had a few questions regarding the self employed and the CSA and would be grateful for some answers:


1) How far back should CSA go with a re-assessment/ review on a self employed NRP who is on CSA 2?


2) Can the self employed (sole trader) request a change of circumstance midway through the financial year dependent on business or must they wait for the financial year to end (and submission of accounts to HMRC) before a change can be made to a maintenance decision.


3) Finally, does anyone know how to prove overnight stay with children, as the CSA do not seem to accept a court order?


Any help or assistance with the above would be greatly appreciated.

Crellow4

The effective date for the change of circumstances will usually be the date it was reported.
If there has been a significant change to the sold traders income then a change can be reported mid financial year. This would need to be backed up with interim accounts to show a decrease in income.
Diary/calendar entries in the first instance are used to establish shared care - this is probably the most difficult area for CSA to decide on. I have seen witness statements accepted as evidence of overnight stays, along with receipts for activities during the contact periods.

cliffjumper_2

Thanks for this. With regards to your first comment though:


"The effective date for the change of circumstances will usually be the date it was reported"


Is there any circumstances where they will not back date to the date it was reported but further back i.e. say 6 - 7 months or the beginning of the financial year for self employed peeps?

Crellow4

No, it would never be backdated. The effective date can be a future date if the change is reported by a third party or if it is an interim assessment.

NatalieB23

My sons father was told by the CSA that I would have to inform them myself that he cares for my son overnight in respect of his case.

Crellow4

Either parent can report shared care, it is much easier for an accurate decision to be made when there is a consensus - sadly this is rare.