child support / self employed

[ll40]

My ex has just halfed his child support payments for our two kids, age 1 and 2. He was very bad and we had a difficult split. he is annoyed because I told his family what he did and has been trying to punish me ever since. I think this is just another one of his digs at me, as opposed to being genuinely concerned for his kids. The problem is that he is self employed. He has produced a sheet of paper with his accounts that anyone could have written. Can anyone tell me if there is anything else I can ask for as proof of his earnings? Do accounts need to be formal/stamped by a reputable company?

unless it is a very large company, then no the accounts don't need to be "stamped" by anyone. if it is a company then they do need to be formal and filed at Companies House.

If he is self employed (rather than having his own company) then he doesn't have to do accounts as such, although he has to file a tax return which will include his accounting figures.

I would want an arrangement where I was provided with a copy of his annual tax return, and child maint based on that for the next year, maybe with an annual adjustment to "catch-up" with the actual figures.

ok, thank you CS for advice. I will ask for the annual tax return.

Are you receiving maintenance direct from him or via the CSA? If the CSA are involved they have access to his tax return.

Hi,

Sorry to be pessimistic but I doubt you'll get anywhere.
I was in the same boat. My childrens father is self-employed & gets away with paying £16 per week for my twin sons.

I had a copy of his Annual Returns, which showed a large dividend due to him (which he denied to CSA) & when I tried to send it to the CSA they refused to accept it.
They said they were not an investigative body & were duty bound to accept his word.
I was and still am appalled but nothing I can do.
To make it worse he drives in around in a brand new Landrover, wears the best of clothes, etc, etc.

Rubin - You should complain. Whoever you spoke to at the CSA was clearly more interested in having an easy life than doing their job properly. The CSA IS an investigative body and they are NOT duty bound to accept his word. They have access to tax returns direct from HMRC - they don't need you to send them a copy. They can change the assessment if the absent parent's lifestyle is inconsistent with their declared income. Do not allow yourself to be fobbed off like this. Complain to the CSA and write to your MP.

rubin you should complain. that is scandalous.
i get money direct via him, agreed via lawyers. i think i'll ask lawyer to get his tax return tho. if not maybe go through csa. like you rubin, he swans about in a fancy car too.

Thanks everyone. Its really helpful to hear that & Im really anger about it.
I will certainly be in contact again.
Thanks again!