Backdated Child Benefit

Chris_P._Bacon_3

I wonder if anyone can advise me please.....

During the 2014/15 tax year I expected to earn in excess of £60,000 & decided to stop receiving child benefit for my two boys (currently paid to my non-working wife) rather than enter the 14th circle of hell that is Self Assesment & repay the child benefit via my tax code.

My circumstances have changed however & I expect to earn less than £50,000 during the 2014/15 tax year. We have restarted the child benefit payments but I wondered if it is possible to reclaim the payments we should have had (given my annual income) since April 2014.

I can't find anything on HMRC websites & the CBO are on strike & not taking calls....:mad:

Studebacher_Hoch

CB can only be backdated up to 3 months as far as I know, so you should apply as soon as possible. I don't think you need a reason to request a backdating.

I don't think this applies to you now Chris, but for people hit by the 50 - 60k+ rule, there is an option to claim CB but not receive payment on the form (Qn. 64 I think). This allows you to get the class 3 NI contributions (to protect your state pension) without having to do the tax return (as you won't actually get any payment).

If you don't intend to get payments due to the hassle of the tax return it's generally still advisable to claim but elect not to receive payments as it can protect your pension and you have nothing to lose.*

* I don't know off-hand if this would help you claim extra arrears. My guess is probably not.

[Deleted User]

i assume that it would preserve his wives n.i and not his as a tax payer,under home responsibilities protection

Icequeen99

Studebacher_Hoch wrote: »

CB can only be backdated up to 3 months as far as I know, so you should apply as soon as possible. I don't think you need a reason to request a backdating.

I don't think this applies to you now Chris, but for people hit by the 50 - 60k+ rule, there is an option to claim CB but not receive payment on the form (Qn. 64 I think). This allows you to get the class 3 NI contributions (to protect your state pension) without having to do the tax return (as you won't actually get any payment).

If you don't intend to get payments due to the hassle of the tax return it's generally still advisable to claim but elect not to receive payments as it can protect your pension and you have nothing to lose.*

* I don't know off-hand if this would help you claim extra arrears. My guess is probably not.

The 3 month backdate would only apply if OP was making a totally new claim.

OP - normally if someone is earning over 60,000 they opt not to receive payments of child benefit, but the claim is still in place (so there is still entitlement). If this is what you did - then you can revoke your election retrospectively (i believe for up to two years).

However, if you actually cancelled your CB claim then the 3 months backdating would apply, but the CB office should have explained that wasn't the right thing to do in your case.

IQ

zagfles

Why do people think self assessment is difficult? It's only difficult if your circumstances are complicated - in which case you'd probably have to do SA anyway! If you've just got PAYE income and a bit of bank interest SA is easy, you can ignore 90% of it. You can also get tax relief for stuff like gift aid and any private pension contributions.