Winter Fuel Payment and taxation

Dazed_and_C0nfused

flaneurs_lobster said:

lr1277 said:

I am hoping somebody can advise on the following.
i help my mum submit her tax return. For the year 25/26 she will be very close to or above the £35k threshold.
I read overpayments can be returned through a change in the tax code. Is it also possible to return the money through a self-assessment tax return?
If so where on the SA form do I enter the figure for this allowance?
Or should we just let it play out through the tax code?

Would it not be simpler to just opt-out?

I think the problem there is if it turns out her income was £35,000 or less then she cannot retrospectively claim the WFP from DWP.

lr1277

I think you can opt out by 15th September. But you can opt back in by 31/03/26. 

By March next year we will have a good idea about mum’s income for 25/26 so can then know whether to claim the benefit. Perhaps that is the way forward.

Dazed_and_C0nfused

lr1277 said:

I think you can opt out by 15th September. But you can opt back in by 31/03/26. 

By March next year we will have a good idea about mum’s income for 25/26 so can then know whether to claim the benefit. Perhaps that is the way forward.

Interesting, hadn't realised you could opt back in that late in the day!

lr1277

Dazed_and_C0nfused said:

lr1277 said:

I think you can opt out by 15th September. But you can opt back in by 31/03/26. 

By March next year we will have a good idea about mum’s income for 25/26 so can then know whether to claim the benefit. Perhaps that is the way forward.

Interesting, hadn't realised you could opt back in that late in the day!

Mentioned on this page:

https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/report-change-circumstances

sheramber

lr1277 said:

I am hoping somebody can advise on the following.
i help my mum submit her tax return. For the year 25/26 she will be very close to or above the £35k threshold.
I read overpayments can be returned through a change in the tax code. Is it also possible to return the money through a self-assessment tax return?
If so where on the SA form do I enter the figure for this allowance?
Or should we just let it play out through the tax code?

There will be a box to declare it when the 25/26 return is processed and available from 5 April 26. 

lr1277

What I don't know is say you opt back in on 31/03/26, then would the payment be made in the 25/26 tax year or the 26/27 tax year?

(No answer required).