High income child benefit - no kids

nattybuk

Hi,

I have received a couple of letters from HM Revenue and customs saying I’m liable for the High Income Child Benefit Charge.

The first letter I ignored as I don’t have any children and thought it was just a notice.

The second letter says “the follow table shows the assessment you will receive shortly which has been made under Section29 of the Taxes Management Act 1970: 2018 Assessment amount £1,076.00.

It also says I will receive a notice to file a self assessments return for 2018 - 2019 tax year. What the hell is going on and what can do?

Again I don’t have any children and I’m not self employed.

Cheers

[Deleted User]

Phone them?

BoGoF

Do you live with someone that does....and claims child benefit?

Dazed_and_confused

I don’t have any children

The High Income Child Benefit Charge isn't based on whether you have any children. If you are or have been part of a household receiving Child Benefit you could be liable to pay it.

I think £1076.00 is a full years Child Benefit for one child.

Can you expand on your personal circumstances?

I’m not self employed

Self Assessment is not just for the self employed. It can apply to lots of other people. Individuals liable to, or believed to be liable to, the High Income Child Benefit Charge being one situation where it is used by HMRC.

ndf9876

I got caught by this and ironically was only alerted by a post on these forums a few years ago.

It doesn't matter if it's your biological child or not - if you live in a household with someone who claims Child Benefit, and their child lives with you predominantly, then you're in line to cough up.

This does mean filing a self assessment tax return and if you're really unlucky, they'll get you to do one for past years too (that was my experience).

Of course if you or your partner do not receive child benefit then clearly it's an error

nattybuk

Wow thanks for so many replies so quickly.

I received a large pay rise due a promotion back on December 2017, still living at parents saving for a house. I’m an only child no one else in the house. Last year moved out into a short term private rental with my partner she doesn’t have any kids.

Dazed_and_confused

Something seems odd then. Is there no way your partner could be receiving Child Benefit at all?

bengalknights

nattybuk wrote: »

Wow thanks for so many replies so quickly.

I received a large pay rise due a promotion back on December 2017, still living at parents saving for a house. I’m an only child no one else in the house. Last year moved out into a short term private rental with my partner she doesn’t have any kids.

Give HMRC a call and see why they think you should be paying this if there are no minors in the residence.

xylophone

I have received a couple of letters from HM Revenue and customs saying I’m liable for the High Income Child Benefit Charge.

I’m an only child no one else in the house. Last year moved out into a short term private rental with my partner she doesn’t have any kids.

Then it seems that an error has occurred. Contact HMRC.

You could phone but you might prefer to write.

Regardless of whether or not you receive CB/are employed/self employed/ unemployed/retired, you might still be told to file a self assessment return.

nattybuk

Everyone I can’t thank you enough for this!

I called HMRC and they looked into it, had me on hold for a while but did say it was an error and they have closed the case.

Thanks all

Dazed_and_confused

It may be prudent to check your Personal Tax Account and make sure HMRC have cancelled the requirement to complete the 2018:19 return.

Easier done now than after you have been issued with penalties for failing to file it next year.