tax credits - a question

[SEVANS2208]

Does anyone know when the childcare element of this finishes and if we have to tell the IR or whether they just stop it when the child reaches 5?

My DD will be 5 next week and we get the childcare element for her as the school she started at last year is a registered child care provider. She will be staying at this school but do I assume that once she reaches the age of 5 the childcare element is no longer paid, even though she will be staying their for school and after school club?

 

[AlanUK]

I have no idea but if I was you I would phone the IR and ask.

There have been a lot of stories in the media recently about people who have been overpayed by the IR (specifically the Tax Credits system) and then been notified that they will have to pay back £000's

The poeple at the IR seem to think that we should all be tax experts and immediately notice any mistakes that they have made

 

[Cochise]

I would love to comment on this issue, but as i work on the upkeep of Benefit systems I cant....

 

[FloridaSam]

Hi

You need to notify Inland Revenue of a change of your circumstances. Just because your child reaches 5 this doesn't mean the childcare element stops. As long as your child is in registered childcare then you just let them know the new childcare and relevant fees. They will then adjust your award accordingly.

Hope that helps.

Sam

 

[Miffy2003]

Grrrrr, tax credits, I could go on about these for ages

They stopped paying me these last year after my bank account changed - and 9 months later they still owe me 6 months' worth despite many phone calls.

I would be inclined to let them know about any change to ensure what Alan described happening!

 

[SEVANS2208]

The problem is she's staying at the same (fee-paying) school so there won't be a change in circumstances until she's 16!! i can't see them paying out til then though!

 

[alisonbestford]

Are you talking about the money paid for registered childcare or the child tax credit per se?
The child tax credit continues until your child is no longer in full time education I think (like child benefit) but if you're talking about money paid for registered child care there used to be a cut off point of around 11 yrs I think (when child is considered old enough to no longer need it (in the IR's opinion)
Ring the IR but you could also try looking on the Citizen's Advice Site (http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/cabdir.ihtml)
Hope this helps and I haven't told you a load of rubbish Things change so rapidly when it comes to money
I would imagine they'll carry on the normal child tax credit element but guess they won't pay for school fees or we'd all be sending our kids

 

[SEVANS2208]

Hi Alison

Yes, it's the childcare element bit. We've been receiving it for her first year of school as she's only 4 and the school is registered as a child care provider (before that we were getting it because she was attending nursery). I'm assuming this part will stop once she's 5 but may continue for the after school club that she attends there until 4.00pm each day?

I have tried to phone but no help. I think I may write to them and tell them the situation - they can work out then what needs to be done. At least then I've covered myself best I can. I'm not sure whether the childcare element being paid now is just for the after school care, or for the whole lot (as she is still classed as pre-school)

Daft thing is, it's only a small amount anyway! But I don't want them "over paying" only to find out in a few months/years time I owe them money back.

I wish they'd make these things easier to understand.

 

[alisonbestford]

I know what you mean I've just spent the last hour being passed backwards and forwards on the IR helpline for advice ;-)
I think what you say is correct, you'll carry on getting the 'after school' bit but lose the rest. I'd definitely put it in writing and keep a copy yourself.
Good luck.

 

[Cochise]

Tax Revenue collecting departments paying benefits.....Badly!

Should have left it to the experts.