Single tax credit- couple not couple

Eiga

Hi,
I need help with establishing my current circumstances. They are a bit complicated...
Some time ago me and my son moved in with a friend in his house. We were never a couple, but we were business partners. The company at some point had to be liquidated, and I left jobless and homeless. As we were friend and for to unfortunate venture, he felt guilty and offered a spare room in his house for me and my son.
I am single mum and get tax credits.
But know we are becoming close to each other. I am considering a change of my status. Until recently we were living as roommates. Changing my status will mean I have to give all his details to HMRC, and it will be consider as my income as well. Most of the time he is at work and it comes done to one weekend a fortnight that we do seem to spent together. I fend for my shopping and he for his, which is fine, occasionally doing things for each other, as roommates do, probably now more often, then before. Therefore I am wondering what to do.
I do not want to get in troubles with HMRC, but we have discussed that and we think is the right thing to do to make changes in claim now. Just stressing a bit as do not want to be accused of acting in bed faith, for doing it now after some period of living together under the same roof.

What should I expect to happen?
Thanks for all input in advance!
X

poppy12345

The question is, are you a couple or not? if you are then you won't be able to make a new claim for tax credits because it no longer exists, it will have to be universal credit.

calcotti

For benefits purposes you are a couple if you live together like a married couple. If you share household finances and sleep in the same room you are probably a couple. If you keep your finances separate and have separate rooms then you can argue that you are both still single even if you have occasional 'recreational activity' together. However there are many married couples who due to patterns of work only see each other infrequently so frequency is not, of itself, the determining factor.

As poppy says, you cannot convert a single person Tax Credit claim into a couple claim. If you become part of a couple you must tell HMRC and your Tax Credits claim will end. Whether or not, as a couple, you are able to claim any Universal Credit will depend on your joint circumstances.

Alice_Holt

https://revenuebenefits.org.uk/tax-credits/guidance/how-do-tax-credits-work/understanding-living-together/

Here are some of the criteria HMRC look at when determining if a TC claim is single or joint:
"Living in the same household
Stability of relationship
Financial support
Dependent children
Public acknowledgement
Sexual relationship"

Singlemumm

Why will they need his details? in my understanding if you not planning to claim any joint benefits, you just have to end your single claim and , I think, after financial year will finish, to provide yours ( single) yearly income that will finalise yours award.
If I’m wrong maybe someone will correct me

[Deleted User]

Singlemumm wrote: »

Why will they need his details? in my understanding if you not planning to claim any joint benefits, you just have to end your single claim and , I think, after financial year will finish, to provide yours ( single) yearly income that will finalise yours award.
If I’m wrong maybe someone will correct me

You are wrong. The OP has a single claim and is now a couple. That is a change of circumstances that must be reported to tax credits. It effects how much benefits that would be paid and could result in overpayments and penalties.

Singlemumm

where I’m wrong?
if no joint claim will be made, there are no requirements to give partner details.
you have to give these if you will make new claim only

Singlemumm

again , if person end single claim with no intention to claim something else jointly, no partner income /details will be asked .
correct me if you say I’m wrong , but single claim ending has nothing to do with new partner income

calcotti

Singlemumm wrote: »

again , if person end single claim with no intention to claim something else jointly, no partner income /details will be asked .
correct me if you say I’m wrong , but single claim ending has nothing to do with new partner income

I agree with that. If a single claimant becomes part of a couple they have to end their existing tax credits claim. They will only need to provide details of joint income to any authorities paying other benefits or if they make new benefits claims.
Not sure why you resurrected this 5 week old thread.