Child Benefit Earning Over 60K

LookingForTheSun

Hello,
I earn less than 50K and my wife earns over 60K. We've recently had a baby. I completed the child benefit forms saying we don't want to claim as I thought we're ineligible given my wife's earnings.

However, due to maternity pay, my wife will be paid around £30K for the year, so we should be eligible, is this right?

Thanks

Dazed_and_confused

Why did you think you were "ineligible" for Child Benefit?

Earning over £60k certainly doesn't make anyone ineligible.

If the higher earners adjusted net income, which is totally different to earnings, is over £60k then the whole of the Child Benefit would have to be repaid via the High Income Child Benefit Charge however you can have had £1k+ (full year for one child) in your account for quite a long time before the HICBC becomes payable.

There can be time limits to claiming Child Benefit so best look at your options sooner rather than later.

LookingForTheSun

Thank you, yes, I've followed up with HMRC, due to maternity pay, we're eligible for child benefit during the 1st year. They also pointed out, like you, the claim goes taxable income, which is lowered with our pension contributions.