High income child care benefit help

nittynatty

I am seperated from my daughter’s father a few years back and he has her 3 nights a week and pays maintenance. I have been claiming the child benefit since she was born. Last year me and my new partner moved in together.  

We’ve had a letter to fill out self assessment saying that as he earns over the threshold . As the higher earner he may have to pay the money back.  

How is it right that he is expected to pay the money back when financially he has nothing to do with my daughter. Yes we all live together but he is not responsible in anyway for her. 

Couples living together who aren’t married are not entitled to the marriage allowance from the government however couples living together even though the child is not his and he has nothing financially to do with her now has to potentially pay child care benefit Back. 

Surely this can’t be right? Are there any exemptions that people are aware of?

He does have a child with his ex partner and shares custody, pays maintenance etc and provides financially for his child. His ex claims the child care benefit for that child.  

When we go to fill in the assessment in his name as he is the higher earner it asks how many children are you claiming child care benefit for .. but the answer really is none as she is not his child nor does he provide financially for her and he hasn’t claimed anything for her ever . Does that make sense?

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you 

Dazed_and_C0nfused

nittynatty said:

I am seperated from my daughter’s father a few years back and he has her 3 nights a week and pays maintenance. I have been claiming the child benefit since she was born. Last year me and my new partner moved in together.  

We’ve had a letter to fill out self assessment saying that as he earns over the threshold . As the higher earner he may have to pay the money back.  

How is it right that he is expected to pay the money back when financially he has nothing to do with my daughter. Yes we all live together but he is not responsible in anyway for her. 

Couples living together who aren’t married are not entitled to the marriage allowance from the government however couples living together even though the child is not his and he has nothing financially to do with her now has to potentially pay child care benefit Back. 

Surely this can’t be right? Are there any exemptions that people are aware of?

He does have a child with his ex partner and shares custody, pays maintenance etc and provides financially for his child. His ex claims the child care benefit for that child.  

When we go to fill in the assessment in his name as he is the higher earner it asks how many children are you claiming child care benefit for .. but the answer really is none as she is not his child nor does he provide financially for her and he hasn’t claimed anything for her ever . Does that make sense?

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you 

I suspect plenty of people will sympathise with your view but it really needs to be aimed at your MP as it they who decide the legislation.

The notes on completing a tax return actually say this,

Fill in this section if during the 2023 to 2024 

tax year:

• your adjusted net income was over £50,000

• your adjusted net income was higher than your 

partner’s adjusted net income, and either

 – you or your partner got Child Benefit payments

– someone else claimed Child Benefit for 

a child who lived with you

sheramber

Married Couples allowance is only available if one of the couple was born before 5 April 1935.

There is transfer of maariage allowance where  a spouse or civil partner can transfer some of thier personal allowance to the other.  That means the  person transferring some of their personal allowance has less persoanl allowance available against their own income.

The Government do not give any extra allowance.

This only a benefit if one the couple have a low income and do not need to use all their personal allowance themselves.

Secondly, you cannot transfer any allowance if the partnetr pays tax at higher rate.

 

sweeperkeeper1

I was wondering is there any update on the high income moving to a household total instead of an individual basis? My wife only works part time & my earning is around 65k so in total we have household income of approx. 75k so only get reduced figure. Yet my sister & her Husband both earn approx. 55k each and are getting the full benefit yet their household is bringing in 110k versus our 75k. Doesn't really make sense.

sheramber

Ask your MP.

The last time it was debated no changes were made. 

Dazed_and_C0nfused

sweeperkeeper1 said:

I was wondering is there any update on the high income moving to a household total instead of an individual basis? My wife only works part time & my earning is around 65k so in total we have household income of approx. 75k so only get reduced figure. Yet my sister & her Husband both earn approx. 55k each and are getting the full benefit yet their household is bringing in 110k versus our 75k. Doesn't really make sense.

Labour decided not to pursue that idea.

https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/tax/hmrc-policy/insane-household-income-hicbc-model-scrapped-0