Please don't judge! Help desperately needed!

MissBetty2019

So I already have a 12 year old son from a previous relationship for which I claim child tax and working tax credits. 2 years ago I had another child, although me and the father were not in a relationship.

However, since I was managing on my wages and benefits that i was already claiming I did not notify the HMRC so therefore have not been claiming anything for my second child.

Me and the father of my second child have now got back together and he will shortly be moving in. Obviously I will report this change of circumstance as it will mean that more money will be coming into the household.

I am frantically worrying that me not telling them about my second child will have serious consequences and I am going to be hit with a massive bill

Can anyone offer any advice/help?

SweetPotatoPie

If you’ve had another child and not notified them then I’m not sure how you can possibly owe them any money? If anything, they would owe you money? I’d ring and notify them, if your partner hasn’t moved in yet then there is no need to tell them that at this point. Just ring and explain your other child to begin with.

calcotti

When the father moves in you become a couple. You must tell HMRC as soon as this happens. Your single person Tax Credit claim will be closed. You cannot make a new claim as a couple because Tax Credits are closed to new claims,

You will have to makes joint claim for Universal Credit instead. Use an online calculator to see what you might get https://www.entitledto.co.uk/ - obviously this may be nothing depending on your joint circumstances.

You should have informed them about the second child, However the fact you didn’t tell them means that you have missed out on money. You obviously haven’t been overpaid so I don’t see them hitting you with a bill for asking for less than you would have been entitled.

MissBetty2019

Thank you. Im just worried i'll get a bill for some kind of penalty for not notifying them

poppy12345

MissBetty2019 wrote: »

Thank you. Im just worried i'll get a bill for some kind of penalty for not notifying them

Why would that happen? You didn't report the changes, which means you lost out on all that extra money. Nothing will happen, except you were out of pocket, so to speak.

Mojisola

MissBetty2019 wrote: »

So I already have a 12 year old son from a previous relationship for which I claim child tax and working tax credits. 2 years ago I had another child, although me and the father were not in a relationship.

However, since I was managing on my wages and benefits that i was already claiming I did not notify the HMRC so therefore have not been claiming anything for my second child.

MissBetty2019 wrote: »

Im just worried i'll get a bill for some kind of penalty for not notifying them

You have saved the taxpayer two years of child benefit and probably more related to the other benefits you are claiming.

There are no sanctions for not claiming benefits that you are entitled to.

Robbie64

Have you claimed Child Benefit for your second child? If not you'll need to get a claim in but you'll only be able to get a payment backdated for three months.

xylophone

so therefore have not been claiming anything for my second child.

Not even Child Benefit? Why ever not?