Maternity leave question

scotsmum_2

Are we supposed to inform the tax credits of a reduction in income while we are on maternity leave? Do they then increase the payments at all?

I have no idea how it works and was hoping someone else here might know how it works?

Morty_007

good question...i haven't even applied for mine yet!!

scotsmum_2

I also read on a thread somewhere that someone posted they had been told they would be entiled to tax credits after 29 weeks of pregnancy but I thought the baby had to be born to make any difference?

Newtonlot

In response to the op, I rang them when I started maternity leave and they told me to ring back when baby was born. Rang back when baby was born and they asked me to estimate how much I would earn while I was off. They said something about they would not take into account the first £xxxx with being on maternity, but I can't remember how much they said.

With the way tax credits are I would er on the side of caution and ring them. If you let them know everything that is happening - then hopefully no mistakes should be made.

sweety

thought i would share my experience as new baby born 22/04/06 and had no idea what to claim etc. I wrote a letter detailing mine and partners wages and gave the estimated income for that tax year, thereby reducing the chance of having to repay an overpayment the following year. i think you are allowed £100 per week reduction from your income for each week you receive stat maternity pay, again detailing this in the letter i sent. Phone is ok but you will still need to put your income details in written form later on. Have just received renewal form and will do same again (without the maternity pay calculation, but showing change in work hours for new tax year). No overpayment or adjustment required either !! Not a rocket science idea but with the links on this site on what to include etc a letter really can work!! Hope all goes well.

sweety

lawdel18

hi, you dont need to inform tax credits when you go on statutory maternity leave, which is now 39 weeks if once it has finished you need to inform them if you do not return to work. if you do return to work then you dont need to inform them unless your working hrs have changed. also you can knock £3900 off your estimated income as this is non taxable. if you recive maternity allowance you need to inform them immediatly as your work details will be ended
hope this helps

bigbill

lawdel18 wrote: »

If you recive maternity allowance you need to inform them immediatly as your work details will be ended
hope this helps

Could you tell me where you got this information please?