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Original poster

Tax credit check letter

194 replies

Jellybeans24 · 14/01/2020 13:52

Hi I recently got a letter about my tax credits saying they are checking my claim and they want information from April 2019 to July 2019 Basically they have asked if me kids dad is living at my property and they named him on the letter he doesn’t live with me but sometimes sleeps over we had our 2nd child together last year we just don’t get on when we live together hence why we live apart

I pay all my bills etc so everything is in my name but he does get letters sent to my address as his mam opens his letters when they go to hers even thought she shouldn’t. But I’ve got all my proof that he doesn’t live he but I’m only worried because they have asked for bank statements but we always transfer each other money he does give me money for the kids but he isn’t the best with money so he gives me money to keep for him then I put it in my savers and transfer it back to him when he needs it.

Do I tell hmrc all this and will they understand or will they stop my tax credits?

OP posts:
KnobJockey · 14/01/2020 14:02

Got to be honest, it doesn't sound great. It sounds as if he lives there in all but name. Do you go on holiday, etc together too? Does he pay rent to his mum's, is he down on the electoral roll there?

Original poster
Jellybeans24 · 14/01/2020 14:12

I know it doesn’t sound great and we are together just don’t live together we are just doing what works for us and the kids as when we are together all the time we argue which isn’t good for the kids we have lived together in the past though. And he is down on the electoral roll at his mams and his bank is registered at his mams address I don’t know if he pays his mam rent but does give her money when he gets paid

OP posts:
INeedNewShoes · 14/01/2020 14:20

I think you need to get it all down in writing with full explanations for the transfers of money.

I would have thought it will only be a big problem if you have previously stated that you don’t receive any financial support from him.

It sounds as though you are living mostly apart but really if this is the case he needs to be having his post sent elsewhere.

If in reality you are pretty much living together (he is staying a few nights a week) and he is contributing towards the kids, if you have said otherwise on the forms then it will be problematic I’d have thought and you should expect to pay back any money that you weren’t eligible to receive.

Original poster
Jellybeans24 · 14/01/2020 14:27

With the transactions only being from April to July last year I can’t remember what each one are for but some of them you can see where I am sending the exact amount of money back to him that he has given to me.

I know I’ve got nothing to hide to them it’s just that what is worrying me, but we have always done it and this is the first time I’ve ever had a letter. I also thought with tax credits it was only taxable money you had to declare to them? That’s why it has never worried me in the past.

And yes if they come with if I’ve done anything wrong etc I understand I’d have to pay back and don’t mind at all.

OP posts:
disneydreaming · 14/01/2020 15:08

With tax credits as I understand the question isn't so much of you live together but if you are in a relationship. Technically you don't need to live together to be classed as in a relationship for tax credit purposes it's things like of you share meals ect and if people see you as a couple.

Him not actually living there may not actually be the only thing they want to know.

You are best to just be open and honest and put everything in writing.

There are guidelines online of what it means to be in a couple for tax credit purposes.

Original poster
Jellybeans24 · 14/01/2020 15:12

Thanks I’ll have a look online

I just thought it was living together I didn’t know any of is like I said it’s the first time I’ve ever had a letter to prove anything

OP posts:
sall74 · 14/01/2020 17:13

Even if (and that's a BIG IF) you're story is true can you explain why the taxpayer should be supporting you as a supposed ''single parent'' just because of your apparent preference of ''being together but not living together''

Given the amount of financial and other links that you and your partner clearly have they will hopefully see the situation for what it really is and you will be rightly convicted of benefit fraud.

cliffsofabandon · 14/01/2020 17:17

If your claiming as a single parent then you've basically been commuting benefit fraud. Just because you don't live together doesn't make you a single parent as you're in an relationship with their dad. His incomes should be used to be finically support you as well as your own. The tax credits people will view it as you being in a. Relationship therefore not a single mum.

You should have a joint claim in if anything if your incomes are low enough to allow it.

I'll be honest from reading your post it doesn't sound good

Original poster
Jellybeans24 · 14/01/2020 17:22

As a tax payer myself I’m not depending on taxpayers to support me, he doesn’t pay my bills or my rent he gives me money for the children but just because we don’t live together how does that mean I’m committing benefit fraud?

I work 24 hours a week I don’t get housing benefit I pay my full rent, council tax gas electric and other utilities on my own. This is what I don’t understand Like I stated he gives me money to keep for him I don’t spend that money and the money he gives me for the kids goes on them?

OP posts:
cliffsofabandon · 14/01/2020 17:25

Because your not a single parent your in a. Relationship. He should be supporting you not the taxpayer.

If you're not in a relationship then he should be paying maintenance and you need to cut all ties to him him being linked to your house.

Original poster
Jellybeans24 · 14/01/2020 17:30

So even if he doesn’t live in my house he should pay my bills?

OP posts:
Undecided91 · 14/01/2020 17:37

100% you are comitting a benefit fraud. You will most likely be penalised for it never mind stopping tax credit all together. You ARE in a relationship with him and you should never claimed as a single parent. You may go to prison for this. Its so frustrating we are paying so much tax to support people like you. Ridiculous. You work 24hrs - I work over 60hrs a week and dont get a single penny from Gov so why poeple who are lying about their relationship status should???

cliffsofabandon · 14/01/2020 17:38

You're in a relationship with the man. Just because you choose not to live with him doesn't mean you should then let the tax payers fund you. You are not a single parent. He is the father of your children so yes he should contribute to their life and up bringing!

I've been a legitimate single parent. It's hard and I paid my own way with a small amount of maintenance and a small amount of tax credits for childcare I was entitled to because I was a single parent.

You should either have a joint claim, he should contribute to the bringing up of his children as your in a relationship or you should split up and he should pay you maintenance.

From what your written TC will see it as you being in a relationship and living apart to wrongfully entitle you to claim TC as a "single" parent

Original poster
Jellybeans24 · 14/01/2020 17:40

Support people like me I pay tax myself? Can tell you one thing for sure there is a lot worse people out there than me.

I didn’t think I had to make a join claim with us not living together. Sometimes my mam gives me money to? Should she be on the claim as well? :/

OP posts:
Original poster
Jellybeans24 · 14/01/2020 17:44

And I don’t live apart to wrongfully claim tax credits like I stated I didn’t think that mattered?

We had only recently gotten back together as when we have lived with each other in the past we don’t get along with each other as good as doing things separately plus he works away to so Like I said he sometimes sleeps over it’s about 4 or 5 days out of the month this is why I’m confused.

And I don’t get as much in tax credits as you will al be thinking as I’ve got quite a good job and from my 24 hours I come out with a full time wage i was just worried that I’ve been doing something wrong which you have all clearly said it’s benefit fraud I’ll be tuning hmrc tomorrow to explain everything in full. I’m not liar I’ve got nothing to hide and generally didn’t think I’d done anything wrong

OP posts:
cliffsofabandon · 14/01/2020 17:53

Don't be so ridiculous it's not about who gives you money re your comment about your mum. It's about the fact your in a relationship with your children's father and he is doing nothing to support his own children and instead your claiming as "single" parent while clearly all in a. Relationship. He should be paying for his children and you should be using both your incomes to support your children.

From what you've posted it looks like you're in a full on relationships (to the point. You had a second child with the man) while claiming to be single and he conveniently is registered at his parents address to allow you to claim more tax credits than you're entitled to as a single parent.

That is benefit fraud. You are not a single parent

NeedAnExpert · 14/01/2020 17:59

As a tax payer myself I’m not depending on taxpayers to support me

Fab. Because you’re about to get one hell of a bill.

Dontdisturbmenow · 14/01/2020 18:47

Did you separate before of after you had your second baby?

You admit that you are together, and all the evidence is supporting that you are. Your finances are linked, he uses your address as his, he conveniently lives with his mum, so very low if not no bills, and he doesn't pay child maintenance.

The question is whether they've picked up on things because a check triggered that someone else was living at your address (through bills), or whether someone reported you (or both). If you've been reported, that is something else that goes against you.

You will need to be totally honest and accept that you will likely need to repay what you were never entitled to receive. As you said, it will thankfully be low as you didn't that much, so better arrange something, get it over with and know that you should always checked the rules properly before claiming anything.

bohemia14 · 14/01/2020 18:50

I've just paid my tax bill today. I really resent people like you who are expecting taxpayers to subsidise your family. You are not a single parent.

onceinawhilex · 14/01/2020 19:07

@Jellybeans24 if he doesn't live with you or support you financially then of course you can claim as single, you just need to prove that to them.
Are you in a relationship with him?

Darbs76 · 14/01/2020 22:48

I’d be honest. I think he would need to prove he lives separately. I’m not sure that it is technically benefit fraud if he doesn’t live with you but I don’t know the rules. You are allowed boyfriends to stay over so many nights without it affecting things. But as he’s paying you money that might impact on proving he doesn’t live at your house. The fact that they’ve named him makes me think someone’s reported you so I think you’ve no choice but to be honest and hope for the best.

flirtygirl · 14/01/2020 22:59

The people above are incorrect. If you have separate finances and if he is not living with you then show them your evidence as otherwise they cannot prove you are living together because you are not.

Many people in relationships do choose to live separately and this is okay provided it is truly separate with no shared finances and no he is not paying for your living expenses and he stays over but does not live in the property.

It is not benefit fraud if that is the situation, contrary to some of the keyboard warriors above.

flirtygirl · 14/01/2020 23:01

If he is using your address and you are financially linked and he is living there and not just staying over then you are committing benefit fraud.

sall74 · 15/01/2020 05:22

''Many people in relationships do choose to live separately and this is okay provided it is truly separate with no shared finances and no he is not paying for your living expenses and he stays over but does not live in the property ''

So you think it's perfectly okay for the tax payers to subsidise this lifestyle choice?

DesdemonaDryEyes · 15/01/2020 05:29

Truly shocking.