Child Tax Credits - Ignore request for review of Final Tax Credits Award 2014-2015

JustRaider

Hi ,

I received a Final Tax Credits statement for 06/04/2014 to 05/04/2015. There were issues with this award notice and so I sent a letter to the Tax Credits Office asking them to look at the decision again.

I've receive a letter back stating :
"Unfortunately due to budget changes for 2015-2016, the annual
income threshold has changed. As you earn over £30,000 and
are responsible for one child you are no longer entitled to tax
credits"

Obviously, they have completely ignored my request for a review
of my Final Tax Credits statement for 06/04/2014 to 05/04/2015,
as stated in my letter. Their information relates to the 2015/2016
tax but my letter related to the 2014/2015 tax year !

Anyway, are they correct that I'm not entitled to tax credits after
the recent budget changes ? My wife and I have a joint income of £30,400 and we support one child who is disabled.

Thanks,
JustRaider

Icequeen99

JustRaider wrote: »

Hi ,

I received a Final Tax Credits statement for 06/04/2014 to 05/04/2015. There were issues with this award notice and so I sent a letter to the Tax Credits Office asking them to look at the decision again.

I've receive a letter back stating :
"Unfortunately due to budget changes for 2015-2016, the annual
income threshold has changed. As you earn over £30,000 and
are responsible for one child you are no longer entitled to tax
credits"

Obviously, they have completely ignored my request for a review
of my Final Tax Credits statement for 06/04/2014 to 05/04/2015,
as stated in my letter. Their information relates to the 2015/2016
tax but my letter related to the 2014/2015 tax year !

Anyway, are they correct that I'm not entitled to tax credits after
the recent budget changes ? My wife and I have a joint income of £30,400 and we support one child who is disabled.

Thanks,
JustRaider

What were the reasons for wanting your 14/15 award reviewed?

Did you send a form or a letter?

IQ

JustRaider

Hi IQ,

Yes I sent them a letter. I asked for a review because :

I was made redundant late 2014. Then during my spell of
redundancy my wife was also made redundant. My wife was
refused JSA and I didn't claim JSA, so our joint income was
very little for a period of the 2014/2015 tax year. However,
on the final tax credit award 2014/2015, there was a figure
for the 'total child tax credit element' but this was cancelled
out to zero, by the same figure - "Reduction due to your
income", so basically we were not entitled to tax credits. As a
consequence of this we were burdened with a large
overpayment figure.

Considering our joint income plummeted in that tax year how
could this be justified ?

JustRaider

Hi Blondbubbles,

The middle rate of DLA applies.

Thanks,
JustRaider

JustRaider

Hi blondebubbles,

The £30,400 is our income at the moment as I an now back in employment.
For the tax year 2014/2015 it was £26,400. In 2013/2014 ( before I was made redundant) it was £30,500.
DLA is shown on the award notice.

Thanks,
JustRaider

Icequeen99

JustRaider wrote: »

Hi IQ,

Yes I sent them a letter. I asked for a review because :

I was made redundant late 2014. Then during my spell of
redundancy my wife was also made redundant. My wife was
refused JSA and I didn't claim JSA, so our joint income was
very little for a period of the 2014/2015 tax year. However,
on the final tax credit award 2014/2015, there was a figure
for the 'total child tax credit element' but this was cancelled
out to zero, by the same figure - "Reduction due to your
income", so basically we were not entitled to tax credits. As a
consequence of this we were burdened with a large
overpayment figure.

Considering our joint income plummeted in that tax year how
could this be justified ?

Unfortunately tax credits are annual awards based on annual income - and although you had a period where your income plummeted temporarily there was very little difference between your overrall 13/14 income and your 14/15 income.

As BB says, you will need to tell them what is wrong with their calculation if want them to revise it.

IQ

JustRaider

Hi blondbubbles \ Icequeen99,

Thank you both for your advice. I'll gather the necessary information and
send the details to the TCO.

JustRaider.