Child Tax Credits - Unaware of Eligibility
dealsearcher
Posts: 756 Forumite
I am aware of Working Tax Credits but have not been aware of Child Tax Credits. We have been in receipt of Child Benefit, but not of Child Tax Credits. I have been medically retired for many years and realise I am unable to claim for Working Tax Credits. However I have not been aware that I would be eligible for Child Tax Credits.
I have now become aware of them and have entered my details in the Tax Credit Calculator on the HMRC website. I now realise that we have been missing out on Child Tax Credits since they were introduced in 2003. I am also aware that normally back payments can only be made for 31 days. But I feel that we have a valid reason to appeal for a longer period of back payments because we have been unaware that we would be eligible and have received no information about them. I now understand that information packs were sent out but we did not receive any pack, for me or my wife.
I have written to the Tax Credits office in Preston but would really like to know what advice there is for us to get redress on this. Thank you.
I have now become aware of them and have entered my details in the Tax Credit Calculator on the HMRC website. I now realise that we have been missing out on Child Tax Credits since they were introduced in 2003. I am also aware that normally back payments can only be made for 31 days. But I feel that we have a valid reason to appeal for a longer period of back payments because we have been unaware that we would be eligible and have received no information about them. I now understand that information packs were sent out but we did not receive any pack, for me or my wife.
I have written to the Tax Credits office in Preston but would really like to know what advice there is for us to get redress on this. Thank you.
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Comments
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Being unaware of your eligibility to claim CTC is not a defence. The information has been out there since the beginning and it has always been the responsibility of individuals to claim what the may be entitled to.
They don't chase you to give you money, you have to take responsibility for yourself.0 -
The information has been out there since the beginning ...
Where has this information been? I have certainly not been aware of it. What do you mean by it being 'out there'? Out where?
The only information I am aware of concerning Tax Credits has been with Working Tax Credits. I am aware of Child Benefit and was under the impression that was the only benefit we were entitled to.
I have now been told that information packs were sent out. I have never received one. My wife has never received one either.
How are we supposed to know about this without being informed?0 -
WTC and CTC were both introduced in April 2003, how did you find out about WTC?0
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I knew about Tax Credits from the budget some years ago and the budget refered to Working Tax Credits. I don't recall any mention of Child Tax Credits, only of Child Benefit.
Furthermore the term Tax Credits implies a credit on the tax due. In fact I have now found out that CTC's are paid out regardless of tax due. Even if your income is below the tax allowance and you are not paying any tax you will still be paid the CTC's. It would appear it has nothing to do with crediting tax at all.0 -
When you fill in the Tax Credits application form if you state how many children you have, from what i can remember i was advised of both, how much i would be entitled to for Tax Credits and also how much Child Tax Credit. The information was available when the scheme was launched, you must have missed it. There is no way you are going to receive backdated CTC for more than 31 days, as previously posted, saying you didn't know about is no defence.
It's all linked to WTC as when you receive your annual renewal documents, both WTC and CTC payments are on the same form. How old are your children now as CTC is only paid until they are 16 or longer if they are in further education.0 -
I am now aware of what you say. However I came onto this forum for advice from Citizens Advice Bureau experts. I don't think you are.
My only way to deal with this is to apply now and to appeal for back payments as far as possible by appeal.
I am not looking for a 'defence', as you put it, I am not being accused of anything. I am looking to put an unfair situation right.0 -
However I came onto this forum for advice from Citizens Advice Bureau experts. I don't think you are.
They may not work for CAB but many of the people on this forum are benefit advisors or work within tax credits etc.
The posts above are correct, ignorance of a claim is not a sufficient reason for long term backdating.
Which is exactly the same advice CAB will give you - if nothing else it gets your ongoing claim going.My only way to deal with this is to apply now and to appeal for back payments as far as possible by appeal.I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.0 -
dealsearcher wrote: »I am aware of Working Tax Credits but have not been aware of Child Tax Credits. We have been in receipt of Child Benefit, but not of Child Tax Credits. I have been medically retired for many years and realise I am unable to claim for Working Tax Credits. However I have not been aware that I would be eligible for Child Tax Credits.
I have now become aware of them and have entered my details in the Tax Credit Calculator on the HMRC website. I now realise that we have been missing out on Child Tax Credits since they were introduced in 2003. I am also aware that normally back payments can only be made for 31 days. But I feel that we have a valid reason to appeal for a longer period of back payments because we have been unaware that we would be eligible and have received no information about them. I now understand that information packs were sent out but we did not receive any pack, for me or my wife.
I have written to the Tax Credits office in Preston but would really like to know what advice there is for us to get redress on this. Thank you.
Dear Dealsearcher,
Unfortunately, the above posts are correct. You are unable to backdate child tax credit for previous years on the grounds that you were unaware of its existence. A claim for CTC can only be backdated for a maximum of 31 days (This is the time limit from 6th April 2012, previously it was 93 days.) You only need to show that you qualified for CTC during that period. You do not have to give a reason for your delay in applying.
To make a first claim for Child Tax Credit, you would have needed to complete form TC600 – This is the same form you would have used to apply for Working Tax credit. If you did indicate that you had children at the time you applied for WTC, the office should have picked this up.
If you are still eligible to receive CTC (for example, if you are on a low enough income and responsible for at least one child under the age of 16) or if you require further assistance, you can call the Tax Credit helpline on 0345 300 3900.
Kind regards,
Birmingham CAB“Official CAB Representative
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