Child benefit

[Amydiane84]

Hi I have two kids from previous relationship and one with my husband.
My husband is a higher tax earner so we have to repay a portion of the child benefit we claim each year via a self assement tax return. He normally has an account complete this but is doing it himself this time.
My question is should we include the amount of family benefit we receive for my children who he isn’t the biological
Father of or just the amount paid for our daughter?

I’m pretty sure it’s the household finances so you would declare for all 3 children.

I suspected as much. Just seems really unfair to do it this way as my ex who earns a lot more than my husband doesn’t have to pay anything even though it’s myseld and my husband who also meets the kids living expenses as well.

He doesn't have to pay it back because he doesn't claim it surely?

What do you mean by your ex doesn't have to pay anything? Does he not pay any child maintenance? Or is it 50/50 shared care?

Or do you mean he doesn't pay any child benefit back? He can't pay any child benefit back because he doesn't get it in the first place? Assuming you get the CB for all 3 kids?

My ex pays minimal
Maintenance and is self
Employed so it is difficult to prove his earnings.
My money I receive in child benefit
Is for the kids so it surely would be fairer if he had to pay back the amount on our two children’s family benefit payments and my husband would repay our daughters.

I kind of see where you're coming from but he can't pay back something he's never had in the first place.

If you wanted to go down that route, then let him claim the child benefit for the 2 DC and then he can pay a portion of it back (or not). You'd lose out even more that way though.

My husband hasn’t claimed it
either, I have!

Think we may aswell just ask them to stop paying us it altogether.

Hi OP, we have this issue and if I think about it, it riles me too. We pay back the lot - even though my DH isn’t bio father of eldest and the bio-dad, who moved 400 miles away from him and seemed surprised a decade later that he has a failing relationship with his son, refused to allow my DH step-parental responsibility for our son. It’s so hypocritical- DH is considered financially responsible and therefore we lose child benefit but no parental responsibility. It’s absolute bullshit but ultimately nothing we can do.

In terms of not claiming it - are you working? It protects your NI contributions so can be worth claiming and paying back... and child benefit also makes it clear who is the resident parent should you need it to.

Hi yes I work too, have a good wage but not a higher tax earner (yet!) it’s more of a principal thing rather than the financial side of it that annoys me. He’s paid it now (over 2k) so just going to tell them to stop payments as it’s ridiculous and too much hassle!

Bythebeach you can still claim it but then refuse payments - that protects the NI credits but solves the issue of having to repay it.

Yes you’re absolutely right Chessie! We’ve just not got round to it.