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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

help and advice

206 replies

FondantFancie · 26/08/2011 11:26

My husband thinks he is entitled to half my child tax credits. We have three children together which we share contact exactly half and half. we have been separated for 3 years now. I have just recently had a new baby so am not working and just claiming the benefits I am entitled to. He is a full time teacher.

He feels that he is entitled to the tax credit money while I do not as he is working. He puts the children into childcare which costs him a lot each month. He claims not to have any money to spend on himself or the children. What should I do?

OP posts:
ballstoit · 28/08/2011 08:52

Well, if you understand, why are you saying he'd get nothing Confused

If she let him have one of the twins on his claim, he would get some help, and she would lose 1 child's tax credits and child benefit...wouldnt affect her HB or CTB as she'd still be entitled to a 3 bed house rate, same as she is now. There is a fairer way of doing things, but would need the op to compromise.

flippinada · 28/08/2011 10:25

I may well be wrong but my understanding is that tax credits go significantly down the more you earn. You may still get money towards childcare, again depending on how much you earn but not much. And school age children don't need a lot of childcare (after school club, breakfast club, childminder for example).

If he earns over 16k (estimate) he won't get wtc - so then there's child tax credits with a lone parent element and the childcare element.

I have a friend who is a teacher (full time) and lone parent. She gets some tc but very little.

flippinada · 28/08/2011 10:27

I'm actually wondering how come he's spending so much on childcare if the children are school age?

tabulahrasa · 28/08/2011 11:41

An hour before school and two after for 3 children is 9 hours a day

tabulahrasa · 28/08/2011 11:43

Not that I know what hours he needs childcare for, lol, but that gives him time to get to school in the morning and do the bare minimum after school

ChocHobNob · 28/08/2011 12:29

No he isn't entitled to half your tax credits as you receive that based on your circumstances. You were probably awarded it by the appeal because you receive the child benefit, if it truly is 50/50 care and that was the only way they could distinguish who should get TC.

What you could (and should IMO) do, is allow him to claim for at least one of your (3 joint) children. Maybe even 2 if you would still be able to budget ok on tax credits for the 1 joint child and the baby.

That way he could receive tax credits in his own right and get any help towards childcare he would be entitled to.

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