Child Benefit Charge Letter

astreet3

Hi,


I've just received a letter from HMRC regarding Child Benefit Charge. This is the first I've heard of this (I've had other things to deal with in the last couple of years!) so have a couple of questions.


Am I still liable if I've been divorced/separated for approx. 2 years and the child benefit was always paid to my ex's bank account and never to me or our joint account?


Why, when they surely have all the facts and figures on earnings, tax and benefits paid, are they effectively asking people to put their hands up and volunteer to pay it?


thanks


a

xylophone

and the child benefit was always paid to my ex's bank account and never to me or our joint account?

The account to which it was paid is irrelevant.

Why, when they surely have all the facts and figures on earnings, tax and benefits paid, are they effectively asking people to put their hands up and volunteer to pay it?

If you were subject to the charge, it was your responsibility to advise HMRC.


https://revenuebenefits.org.uk/child-benefit/guidance/how-do-child-benefit-and-guardians-allowance-work/high-income-child-benefit-charge/

Pennywise

astreet3 wrote: »

Why, when they surely have all the facts and figures on earnings, tax and benefits paid, are they effectively asking people to put their hands up and volunteer to pay it?

They don't have a link between your earnings and your wife's child benefit claim. Two entirely separate individuals and different systems.

There has been lots of publicity about it over several years, lots of media coverage, and individual letters sent out to those who may have been affected. I think your problem is that you weren't earning enough when it was first introduced so wouldn't have taken notice of the media. Your income has now breached the threshold and you didn't realise the implications.

sheramber

You would not be due to pay the child benefit charge from the date you permanently separated.

You will be due any charge due up to that date.

I suggest you speak to HMRC.

astreet3

Thanks, I was planning on contacting them once I’d done some research. I’ll need to double check (p60’s) but I think I didn’t go over the threshold until after we separated and I certainly haven’t claimed child benefit since then.