I owe HMRC money but they never told me!

DRS1

Am I alone in thinking that HICBC is an odd way to means test a benefit?  Why not simply say you are over this limit so we don't pay you the child benefit?

Flugelhorn

DRS1 said:

Am I alone in thinking that HICBC is an odd way to means test a benefit?  Why not simply say you are over this limit so we don't pay you the child benefit?

It is an odd one - relies mainly on the parent not receiving the benefit to state that the other half  is getting it - thought the days of  taxation of couples where one (usually the wife) had to tell her husband what money she was getting were long gone, but not in this case. 

molerat

DRS1 said:

Am I alone in thinking that HICBC is an odd way to means test a benefit?  Why not simply say you are over this limit so we don't pay you the child benefit?

But the person over the limit may not be the one receiving the benefit and until the year is over nothing is guaranteed.

eskbanker

DRS1 said:

Am I alone in thinking that HICBC is an odd way to means test a benefit?  Why not simply say you are over this limit so we don't pay you the child benefit?

I believe that, as per earlier posts, it's because it relates to household income, whereas other means-testing is based on that of the individual....

Flugelhorn

eskbanker said:

DRS1 said:

Am I alone in thinking that HICBC is an odd way to means test a benefit?  Why not simply say you are over this limit so we don't pay you the child benefit?

I believe that, as per earlier posts, it's because it relates to household income, whereas other means-testing is based on that of the individual....

not even household income, just income of the higher earner 

TheSpectator

DRS1 said:

Am I alone in thinking that HICBC is an odd way to means test a benefit?  Why not simply say you are over this limit so we don't pay you the child benefit?

Not as black and white as that. Claiming child benefit by a non working spouse for example gives NI credits so it's beneficial to claim and pay it back if neccessary. Plus the threshold is not a cliff edge, it's gradually withdrawn.

sheramber

[Deleted User] said:

Flugelhorn said:

DRS1 said:

Am I alone in thinking that HICBC is an odd way to means test a benefit?  Why not simply say you are over this limit so we don't pay you the child benefit?

It is an odd one - relies mainly on the parent not receiving the benefit to state that the other half  is getting it - thought the days of  taxation of couples where one (usually the wife) had to tell her husband what money she was getting were long gone, but not in this case. 

Yep and the HICBC applies to  non biological parents as well, who are in the same household.

That's shocking and totally unfair.

Take that up with your MP. It is Government policy. 

uknick

Bambers29 said:

uknick said:

I'm male and have never had children, but I was aware of the HICBC and woman's retirement age changes when they were introduced.  How? I watch the news and read newspapers.
   

Thanks for that. Super useful... As an officer in a very high readiness special operations force unit in the British Army I'm actually pretty good with current affairs on the whole. Due to my job I tend to be drawn to the sort of current affairs that are related to HM Gov interests abroad or national infrastructure issues at home. For whatever reason, I've personally never come across HICBC or the associated implications that go with it. I wish I knew everything but alas, I do not. Good for you though and thanks again for chipping in with such sage advice. 

No need to be sarcastic because you dropped the ball.  And, for your information as a civilian I spent 10 years working alongside both frontline and HQ operations support up to 3* level and they all seemed to be pretty well informed on aspects outside of their military life, especially those topics that tended to make the front pages.

But, I can understand how, if you didn't have children back in the day when the HICBC was introduced, it could well have slipped past your radar.  

Bambers29

uknick said:

Bambers29 said:

uknick said:

I'm male and have never had children, but I was aware of the HICBC and woman's retirement age changes when they were introduced.  How? I watch the news and read newspapers.
   

Thanks for that. Super useful... As an officer in a very high readiness special operations force unit in the British Army I'm actually pretty good with current affairs on the whole. Due to my job I tend to be drawn to the sort of current affairs that are related to HM Gov interests abroad or national infrastructure issues at home. For whatever reason, I've personally never come across HICBC or the associated implications that go with it. I wish I knew everything but alas, I do not. Good for you though and thanks again for chipping in with such sage advice. 

No need to be sarcastic because you dropped the ball.  And, for your information as a civilian I spent 10 years working alongside both frontline and HQ operations support up to 3* level and they all seemed to be pretty well informed on aspects outside of their military life, especially those topics that tended to make the front pages.

But, I can understand how, if you didn't have children back in the day when the HICBC was introduced, it could well have slipped past your radar.  

Apologies for the late reply, I've been out of the country for a couple of weeks. I think that the level of my sarcasm was directly related to the lack of any substance being added by you to the overall thread. Telling me that you were aware of HICBC (good for you by the way), despite the fact that you don't have any kids, and that you watch the news didn't really add any value unlike the majority of the other contributors. Thanks all the same though. Any perceived sarcasm is unintended I assure you.