CSA Arrears Calculation Wrong

liz7778

Hi, I have a significant debt with the CSA (£8688) which I have been paying over the last couple of years despite not knowing that the case had been open.  I received a letter in 2018 saying that there was a huge outstanding amount. This was the first contact i had from them for years, which was a shock as I had been paying privatley for my son for a long time, which hasn't been provable as my ex is not playing ball, a harsh lesson learned!!  But anyway... they calculated from 2012 - 2017 at £35 per week but I wasn't earning at this point, my current partner was the only income at this time as I was a stay at home parent to my youngest.  I have done a subject access request with HMRC which says that I had no income during this time but the CMS are saying that they cannot amend the arrears?? Is this correct?  I got the feeling on the phone that the lady was being slightly awkward but I don't really know where to go to try and get this looked at?  I sent off the HMRC to them in November, but have had nothing back except when I spoke to the lady on the phone who point blank refused to go any further with my request...   Any help is appreciated, thanyou

Clearchem

You need to challenge the assessment of the arrears. The first step is a mandatory reconsideration request followed by appeal to 1st tier tribunal. But you might be out of time if you have not done that already. You can ask for an out of time appeal to the tribunal and make a case for why they should hear the out of time appeal.