Advice Needed

[sarahkerbs]

Hi, I just wanted to ask if anyone else has had experience of this. I am in the process of getting a divorce as myself and my ex have been separated for more than two years.
My ex husband is self employed and does not declare all of his earnings. I get a small amount of child maintenance because of this. Is there anything else I can do to try and get him to pay more towards the cost of the financial commitments of raising two children (aged 4 & 6) for example I have just asked him to pay half towards their school uniforms etc. (which he has done once in the past when my son started school) he replied saying.... No, I pay weekly maintenance!
The 'weekly maintenance' I do receive barely covers anything. A year ago I was made redundant through no fault of my own I have been unable to get another job as my daughter was attending nursery for only three hours a day. I am about to start looking but I am very restricted due to having the children to look after.
I completely feel that I have been left with everything financially and he gets away without paying what he should because he is self employed. Is it too late to do anything regarding my divorce, like a financial agreement, I have received the decree nisi. Does anyone have and help or advice they could give me?

Dob him in to HMRC so all his earnings are known!

To OP

Your ex will have to file Self Assessment Tax Returns each year. However, as self employed often work cash in hand they have scope to under declare their total income. Plus they can claim expenses associated with their work such as; using part of house as office, running a car, mobile phones, laptops, etc., even though such things are used for personal use too. A good accountant will be able to maximize the expenses and hence reduce their profits to minimize Taxes. CM will be based on the profits after tax which may be very little.

Have you claimed all of your entitlements such as; Child Benefit, Child Tax Credits, reduced council tax and possibly Child Care costs if you find work?

Trying to drop him in to HMRC may have little benefit as HMRC are unlikely to take notice. They are after the big players who do not pay taxes.

Good luck.