Child benefit - earn just over 50k - is it worth claiming?

[Personanongrata80]

I have recently split from my husband. We had previously stopped child benefit as he earns over the threshold. However I am now wondering whether I should claim. I earn just over 50k so I understand I’d have to pay a tax charge after filling in an individual tax return but I think that the charge would be less than I receive.

My query is whether I need to take any maintenance paid into account as income? That might take me over the 60k boundary. I asked the child benefit office but they just sent me a link to the info online I’d already read so that wasn’t particularly helpful.

Also I’ve never filled in a tax return so I’ve no idea how much work it is. Can anyone advise on whether it is all worth it?

"PragmaticWench

Even if you're over the threshold you should claim it but say you don't want to receive it, so your NI contribution is protected"
I don't understand this at all

Why would op need to?

Stealth if you are a sahm who is no entitled to the cash as DP/DH earns too much you can claim but ask for it not to be paid so you automatically get additional NI full credit years - while you have any child under 12.

Yes I get that but why is that advice being given to op? Presumably she does not need to protect ni

On the basis of "even if shes over the threshold do it anyway"

Yeah agreed it is not really relevant in this case although some advise you to claim anyway in case you get an unexpected period of no earning and forgot to claim but as op has anyway claimed in the past and just asked for the cash not to be paid this would not matter to her and as a single parent she would have no income in that case so would be very likely to claim asap.

OP silly question but I thought worth pointing out just in case.... have you included any bonus in your gross earnings?

Also, where possible salary sacrifice additional pension contributions and other benefits if your employer offers them (and of course assuming you need them). This will bring your taxable earnings down which will decrease/eliminate tax charge for overpayment of child benefit.

Thanks. I don’t get a bonus but I managed to log on to government gateway site which told me my taxable earnings. It’s well under 50k so it looks like I can claim full amount and not do self assessment.

Yay :)

Just in case anyone else is in a similar situation I have just spoken to the tax office again. They told me my husband’s income is not relevant to my claim so he will not have to declare anything.