Tax Credits -help

[haycal2008]

I have just found out i am pregnant with my sons fathers baby. I claim tax credits as we are not together i get on with him well and ended up sleeping with him at a party! the result being a baby due in november. As i said i already claim tax credits for me and my son and wonder if this will affect my ability to claim. Couldnt manage if i lost this money. Just wondering if it will matter i will have 2 children with the same person. There definately wont b a 3rd!!!

[mrs_overall]

I can't see what your problem is as you will actually be able to claim more money from tax credits when the baby is born.

[redcrx]

it wont affect your ability to claim.

[misundrstood]

be very careful with tax credits my wife and i have just had a claim from them for 2000 pounds over a period of 2 years dating back to 2003-4 they are not what you think make sure every detail you give them is correct and keep every bit of information that is passed between you and they pass to you they can claim overpayments for upto 7 years

[haycal2008]

im just concerned they may have been funny with meas both my children willhave the same father, but we are not together.

[haycal2008]

Thanks everyone for your help,yea just thought they may find it a little old both my children have the same surname ( my ex's) oh well whats the worst that can happen? theycan check and will see that i am telling the truth! thanks all anyway, feeling paranoid - must be my hormones lol x

[Swiper]

My brother in law fathered two kids with the same girl in the same situation. They both have his last name and the authorities don't seem to see a problem. She has claimed single parent since the birth of the first one and no one has brought her up on the fact her children both have the same father. (Which I actually found a bit odd that she was never questioned, but there you go)
Hope that helps!!

[annie0000]

I dont think that the tax credits people are interested, because they are based on your level of income /amount of childcare paid for etc. If you claim other benefits, such as housing benefit etc, those might the ones where they are more likely to be wondering whether you have a partner staying with you. But if he isn't, I wouldn't think that you need worry. They would need to prove that he was there and either contributing or should be contributing to the household. As long as you are declaring any payments he makes to you and are absolutely honest and keep everything, I wouldn't worry.

[haycal2008]

Thanks RAGGY ROMAN. Ill have you know im working and have worked since i was 16! im now 29.

At one stage before i had my son i had 2 jobs one of which i paid 20% tax on!

I went back to work after havin my son he is now 3 and i intend to go back to work when i have this one! why shouldnt i claim what i am entitled to??? i dont claim any benefits just working family tax credits. Why shouldnt i have my share and why are you knockin me for being a working parent? I work 30 hours a week and my mum cares for my son. I could do what some people choose to do and not work stay at home and skav of the state but i dont so keep your opinions to yourself!!!

[ladyalex]

If you are due benefits , you should claim them. Ignore people who say anything different.
I am sure that you will have paid for any tax credits many times over. ....or if you haven't by now , you certainly will have by the time you stop working.
Do be careful to keep everything from them , though , and correct any mistakes you notice they have made as soon as you see them.
Good luck and hope all goes well with you and your new babe.

[sir.prize]

Another constructive an dhelpful response from Raggy Roman - straight from his trailer park no doubt.

[misundrstood]

as i said earlier keep everything because every one i know at work who was claiming this has to pay something back usually 2000 two thousand pounds and thats from there calculations from the first or second year be very careful write to them and get a definate yes from them disregard any one who has told you otherwise because im going to have to pay nearly 2000 pounds back you can appeal but its the tax office they win hands down

[misundrstood]

i have another suggestion that is to keep half of your award in savings because they will claim it back after five years they have legally 7 years to claim tax back off you but your rights are only 5 years to claim back off them so save it or only half and im talking from experience its upto you really

[misundrstood]

i dont want you to be in my situation check everything they send you and phone them if you dont understand but get a name a date etc the tax office are evil get names and times of cals believe me they are trash and trying to trash you they will get everything back that they can but in 5 to 7 years time so you need to be aware

[annie0000]

Raggy - Tax Credits are not benefits. They are designed to take account of previous tax allowances that people may have had - e.g. Married couples allowance etc, but pay them in a way that reflects peoples income. There are Credits allowed for those on a low income - a bit like a lower tax threshold and additional benefits to take account of the amount of money paid out by parents for childcare as they try to raise the next generation of taxpayers and still work themselves.

These Credits are designed to help those that do work, not to encourage people to stay on benefits - they are to keep children out of the poverty trap. I could argue all day about some parents using their benefit money and/or tax credits to fund their smoking, drinking, drug and gambling habits instead of spending them where the govenment intended and society as a whole should expect - i.e. on food and clothing and education of children and families. But that has nothing to do with the question here, and I do wonder why you bothered to respond on here.

You seem to be proud of never having to claim benefits, I haven't either, but have claimed my tax credits and I also take my tax free allowance on my salary rather than send extra money to the tax man. However, I have always been both lucky and determined to be in a position to support my family - some people aren't, either a as a result of back luck, poor example or in some cases sheer bone-idolness - you can't however tar everyone with the same brush and I am pretty sure that you take advantage of your own tax free limits in your pay.

[haycal2008]

RAGGY ROMAN what a smuck??! you say you are unable to give any advice so DONT! I cant understand why people have to make comments like "irresponsible actions" what concern is that of yours my kids will always be well looked after, thats the main point isnt it??

[annie0000]

Tax relief such as the married persons allowance had no earnings related element. So there is at least a line drawn here. Also, the credits are varied according to income with those on higher incomes getting about �40 per month - probably less than the relief that they would have received previously. The �40k (think it could actually be �50k) is also gross joint income upon which tax and NI is paid and childcare has to be paid from. Childcare can cost around �1200 a month for one child on already taxed income. I know that when we had our second child, my husband as a nurse earned less than the cost of childcare and that was pre the tax credits, he gave up work and I supported the family and we had no benefits. In those days, I would have been glad of these incentives.

I still say that for those who use them appropriately (not for 2nd holidays) they are a good thing, you can't always assume that everyone is to no good, life would be pretty miserable if all you look at is the negative in life. I would love some measures to be put in place to stop abuse of initiatives and benefits, but unfortunately it is difficult to do without denying or risking that people do not claim things that they actually need in order to raise their children.

Anyway haycal2008 - sorry for hijacking your thread a bit - hope you and your family do well and you seem to be keen to show your children a good example - I am sure that they will grow up to be a credit to society and to help support us and the economy in our old age.