Child/Working Tax Credits - Finding out how it has been calculated

darren72

A family friend is in the process of going through a divorce (only just started) and is trying to sort out their finances (there partner used to deal with all of these previously).

They are having trouble making sense of the Child Tax Credits and Working Tax credits and how they have been calculated.

Is there an option to login to the Gov.UK website or a specific form/document they can ask the HMRC for to see all the details that they have been provided with so it is easy to see how these figures have come about ?

Thanks in advance

Darksparkle

The award notice explains how it is calculated.

There is no other form to request how this is done.

Basically they add up all the elements the person is entitled to - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tax-and-tax-credit-rates-and-thresholds-for-2015-16/tax-and-tax-credit-rates-and-thresholds-for-2015-16#working-and-child-credit-tax-rates-and-thresholds

This is then reduced depending on the person income.

How it is reduced depends on the persons work situation/other benefits etc.

darren72

Darksparkle wrote: »

The award notice explains how it is calculated.

Thank you for your reply and details - It is appreciated.

I don't recall ever seeing an 'Award Notice'. Do you know how often or what time of years these are normally sent out ?

Darksparkle

darren72 wrote: »

Thank you for your reply and details - It is appreciated.

I don't recall ever seeing an 'Award Notice'. Do you know how often or what time of years these are normally sent out ?

They are first sent when a claim is made.

They are also sent when any change of circumstances is reported.

They are also sent each year as part of the renewal process. Renewals are sent between April and June each year. If a reply is required this must be done by end of July and an award will be sent once completed.

If a reply is not required, the person is advised to keep the renewal form as their award notice.

Does the person actually receive tax credits at present and if so have they reported their change in circumstances?

darren72

Darksparkle wrote: »

Does the person actually receive tax credits at present and if so have they reported their change in circumstances?

Thanks again.

They don't recall receiving them so it must have been opened by their partner despite it being in their own name.

Yes, they are receiving tax credits at the moment and haven't yet reported their change in circumstances as the divorce hasn't gone through yet - unless they need to advise of the separation ? - I will tell them to speak to HMRC with the date for this so that any changes can be back dated if necessary.

Darksparkle

darren72 wrote: »

Thanks again.

They don't recall receiving them so it must have been opened by their partner despite it being in their own name.

Yes, they are receiving tax credits at the moment and haven't yet reported their change in circumstances as the divorce hasn't gone through yet - unless they need to advise of the separation ? - I will tell them to speak to HMRC with the date for this so that any changes can be back dated if necessary.

Tax credits should be claimed as joint for a married couple unless they separate in circumstances likely to be permanent. As they are going through divorce proceedings it would most likely be accepted that she could claim as a single person (if eligible).