Tax credit application - based on last years maternity

[Treeclot]

I'm applying for tax credits for first time. The form asks me for income details 2015/16. I was on maternity leave so that year looks low. This year will be more but the form doesn't ask for that info anywhere.

Won't I be overpaid credits and end up owing them?

Juni - Did you open a new tax credit claim today when you rang or did you already apply earlier in the year?

Babyroobs that would be amazing if that was right - I'm not holding my breath though! I'd applied in July I think, so he adjusted the info they already had.
Umbrella I didn't think you could get more than a couple of months back dated either..Maybe that's when you first claim? I actually went on Mat leave in March but if took me months to get sorted so I had already missed 3-4 months. Maybe they'll backdate to when I claimed?
Might try speaking to them again when I'm not juggling the baby and can actually concentrate on what they're saying.
Will keep you posted....

They overpaid me by £9k despite me insisting many times that they had it wrong. However, I didn't complain properly within the correct timescale so it's taken me 4 yrs to pay it back and really crippled us.

They are you know whats of the highest order imo!

I know ONLY do updates online so I have a WRITTEN transcript of each and every conversation. They won't ever screw me over again!

Juni- fingers crossed you get it from July then, that is most of the tax year.

If you applied in July that's this tax year so you should get a backdated award.
With regard to next year if you are needing the money for childcare I think you can earn quite a bit and still claim the childcare costs part of working tax credit even if your income is too high to get much other support. It's a minefield! Best of luck!

I'm no further along really...spoke to a lady at HMRC who said that I needed to claim based on last years earnings and then call them to declare this year's projected earnings and they will adjust my entitlement. She didn't really mention backdating anything and I forgot to ask as I had both children screaming at me in the background at the time! I'm fairly sure they won't backdate for more than a month for a new claim as mine will be. So I have essentially lost a whole years worth of money! Gutted is an understatement!

Aargh, the whole system is so complicated. I went back in and did a webchat so I could save what was said, there is a lump of money that they will pay once I get my p60 for this year apparently- I couldn't work out how far that was backdated to though. Babyroobs I reckon, if you haven't already, you should get your application in stating last years earnings - then as soon as you get your letter contact them to tell them your actual earnings for this year as they'll then recalculate your award... Good luck!

Just re-read your post and they told you to do exactly that - doh!

I was told there was no backdating for us, but they can backdate as much as they want.