Starting my first ‘real’ job - HMRC help?

[Temphelp]

Hi Mumsnetters,

I just needed some basic advice as I’m hearing some conflicting things.

I am about to start my first ‘real’ job in the UK. I’ve never paid tax before (my partner obviously does because he works) and I’ve never dealt with an employer before. Yes, I do feel quite clueless.

1. Do I need to contact HMRC before or after I start the job? I haven’t started yet but will in about 1 month.

1. Should my partner contact HMRC now or after I have started working as I’m sure his circumstances will now change too? He receives Child Tax Credit but no other benefits.

1. I’m assuming our CTC will now stop because our combined income will be over £30k.

1. Is it worth it if we lose CTC because my job contract is only 10 months. After that, I have no guarantee of a continued contract.

The reason for point 4 is that this job is very specific to my needs (don’t want to go into a lot of detail but this job is remote, school-only timings so no childcare needed, and a decent salary). So is it worth taking the risk?

Sorry if I sound like an utter moron but I just want to make sure I do everything properly and not end up with unpaid taxes or incorrect info!

Thank you all

I think you should check with a benefits advisor. However according to this www.entitledto.co.uk/help/changes-that-trigger-Universal-Credit you could continue to be on tax credits. You may get zero child tax credit while you are working, but that doesn't mean your claim for child tax credit has ended. So it should go up again when your job ends.

Bump x

Might be worth it to get you some experience you can use for other employers and NI contributions? Or do you get them on CTC?

You won't need to contact HMRC as your employer will do that. You just have to give your National Insurance (NI) Number to your new employer. You should do fairly well as they'll only be 8 months left of the tax year - to 4th April 2022, and your first £12500 will be tax free.

I don't know about Child Tax Credits - worth contacting them I think.

Remember employment will be worth more than you think working as you'll 'earn' NI credits (through paying NI) so you can draw a state pension in the future. You should get 2 years worth from this contract (you need 35 for full state pension).

I’ve been on hold with HMRC for over an hour and I can never get through to anybody to discuss what happens to tax credits! So frustrating.

I just want to know what happens to child tax credit if I work for a few months. If I stop working next year for example then do I return to child tax credits or do I not get them anymore?