Understanding Working Tax Credits - Not Child Tax Credits

StuieUK34

Hi all,
To note, its not for me, I'm just curious about the whole thing...

I was under the impression if your a single parent and goto work, you get working tax/child credits to bump up your money....
But then I heard someone saying if your self employed, without children, you can still claim tax credits ???


Surely you cant get benefits if you goto work, despite what you pay yourself ??? (wage wise)
I ask because of this reason:

I work, wife works, x1 child is 11 (wife gets child benefit which I think is £65 a month).


The ex-husband (father) used to pay £50pw towards maintenance for his daughter.... But now he has decided he prefers to spend his money on himself, etc etc...
His situation is:
Married (50+ age wise), no kids in household.
Self employed (has been for years), drives £13k car + van, likes his cash deals away from company books as I hear it.... Likes to treat himself, etc..


He stopped paying for the upkeep of his daughter, and has told my wife that he is on 'Working Tax Credits'. I think his wife might be listed in his business, and is known to do cash in hand work also........


If being self employed, cooking your books to look bad means you can get working tax credits, then I guess there is no point for my wife to approach the CSA, as if claiming benefits, CSA wont get anywhere ???

As said, just curious as to whether you can claim working tax credits if you don't have children in your household... If you cant claim credits, then she will be onto the CSA..

StuieUK34

cheers for the advice.....
Didn't know that, I thought tax credits was a parent thing to get parents into work! and anything else was job seekers or income support if not working!
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm........
So self employed person cooks his books, claims benefit, guess that will make it a lot harder to get the CSA to get money out of him, !!!!!!
cheers for info anyway..