Child Tax Credit

gthththt

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone can help me, from April 2006 to April 2007 I earn 28.000 without tax, and I applied for child tax credit in march 2008, and because i earnt that much I only get £10 a week, now it's gone april it says from april 2007 to april 2008, I earnt a lot less from april 2007 to april 2008 so should I get more now or will I get that next year?

Thanks

bestpud

It depends how much less you earn as well.

There is a cut off point for the basic element (which you are getting) and if you are still above that then your award won't change. Put your new income into the tax credit calculator to see what you are entitled to:

http://www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/Qualify/WhatAreTaxCredits.aspx

But, if you are due a higher award then they will adjust your new award when you have finalised last years and pay you the new amount this year - have you renewed yet?

Plus, if your income dropped below the basic element threshold during 2007/8, they will give you a lump sum once you have provided your exact income for last year, as you will have been underpaid.

Does that help. I'm not sure if I've written it clearly?

gthththt

Thanks for your reply, it says between april 6th 2007 and april 6th 2008 i should be getting £20 more a week, so should i get that amount now? i appiled for it just before april so i only get £10 a week at the moment.

Thanks

bestpud

Have you renewed you claim for this year yet?

They send out renewal packs and you have to check everything and notify them of your true income for the previous year (from a p60 or last payslip of the year). You also notify them of any changes to your income for this year.

You may not have received it yet as someone on here said they send them to the basic ctc people last. May be worth checking that though.

When you have done that, they will finalise last years award and you will get any underpayments for the year 2007/8 back (it won't be a lot as you didn't claim until March but it all helps!)

They will also issue you with a new award for this year, which will include the extra money you are entitled to, because it will be based on your income for 2007/8 ie the lower wage. They will backdate it to the stat of this years tax year.

So yes, you are entitled to it now but won't get it until you renew your award. You have until June or July, I think, but it is best to get it off asap.

gthththt

Thanks a lot