Small question about Tax Credits?

[BabyAndMee]

I got the form through today.

My earnings from April 2016 to April 2017 is 21K.

However, I'm currently on Maternity and I am receiving MA (Maternity Allowance).

On the calculators online, it's easy to put this in and when I do, my entitlement changes. There's also a bit to tick online where you say your earnings are less than £2500 or more this tax year since last year (mine are because my MA is something like £145 a week).

This is a new claim.

Anyone know where to put this? There's not even a notes section to write in on the actual form 

Bump. I need to know this too.

Mog Think I'm going to have to call them!

I know you disregard the first £100 a week for SMP but this is MA, which is a totally different kettle of fish

I rang them about this, and was told MA doesn't count as income at all, so not to include it on the form. It was a few years ago now, so it was a paper form and I ended up writing it by hand in the margin as a note, as I felt so fraudulent...
definitely ring them- my experience of TC is that they are weird and unknowable and change the amounts in unpredictable ways, so I talk to them A LOT in fear of the dreaded overpayments.

It is correct that MA doesn't affect tax credits. This is government leaflet

www.gov.uk/maternity-allowance/what-youll-get

I know it doesn't effect tax credits but surely you're entitled to more tax credit money whilst on maternity Allowance since your income drops more than 2.5K?

Definitely worth contacting HMRC about the change. As far as can see this shouldn't trigger a requirement to go onto Universal credit. Therefore if they offer as an option say no.

What you do is fill in the form with previous years income. Then include a letter with the form giving this years estimated income, they should recalculate and give you the amount based on this years estimated income however they might not as i general they do what the hell they like.

If they muck you about its worth contacting your MP.

And yes as said above MA doesn't count as income for Tax Credits. Make sure you are deducting pension contributions if you pay into a private pension (so not already on your P60) and any charity contributions that you have evidence of as well. (things you have gift aided)

MA doesn't class as income for tax credits