HMRC FFS - Child Tax Credit

[user1514310137]

I hope someone can make sense of this

I have recently received a letter stating that in 2012 - 2013 i have been over paid tax credits - 2K

At this time i was married so it was a joint claim but we split in late 2013. I do not claim any more as i now have a job which is above the threshold

Anyway few questions -

The details of our claim was taken from our P60s so no self employment- how can they get it so wrong and they could even be wrong now!

and the one that sticks in my throat is ...why are they chasing me as it was a joint claim.

Any advice would be great

They chase both parties for a joint claim overpayment.

If you think it was their error and you have them accurate income figures to work from, then appeal. Otherwise, make an instalment arrangement.

I checked with ex and he has received nothing - ho hum

I got this, also the latter half of the year. It's because it's calculated over a year so yes you have to pay it back

However, I rang up and I just had to pay half, which I did. Take a record for reference of dates it was paid back over time as if he doesn't pay each year you'll get a letter from a debt collection agency. Then you ring them up, explain and tell them the dates you paid your half. They'll then send it back to hmrc.... Until the next year and possibly the year after. Keep that data handy.

It stopped eventually.

Thank you @gamerchick

Did you pay in instalments? I cant afford 1k right now

2012? Blimey. What a horrible shock!

@user1514310137

I checked with ex and he has received nothing - ho hum

He will, but if you’re worried he won’t, challenge them on it.

It won’t exactly help you, though, because the pair of you are “jointly and severally liable” so they can chase each of you for the whole balance (until the debt is settled).

I'm not sure that's definitely enforceable. Get some advice before you call them. Definitely don't "acknowledge the debt" in writing.

@user1514310137

Thank you *@gamerchick*

Did you pay in instalments? I cant afford 1k right now

I did, over a year I think. But again, I only had to pay half. Make notes of your payment dates for when they try to chase you for the second half if your ex doesn't pay.

I got told I'd overpaid from when I was still with my ex. I phoned them and told them and they said I only had to pay half and my ex would have to pay the other half. I have no idea if they got in contact with him about it though.

Definitely phone them and ask.

I wish i never claimed in the first place - such a ball ache

I was glad to quit my claim as. The bloke got a bit stroppy with me when I just tried to cancel it. Wanted me to reapply, asking what household income was now.

Needless to say I didn't return the pack he sent out. Pain in the arse it is.

They still send me a pack out. Just fuck off will you!

I feel for anyone who is in this system. It wasnt if we didnt work. We were both at work but poorly paid.

OP, I'm in a similar position as you. Being chased for an overpayment debt on an old joint claim.
I've been repaying my half since last year (my half is nearly paid off in full) but they keep sending ME letters chasing the rest of it... Not even any mention of HIS name on the letter. My ex was removed from the UK and isn't likely to be easily tracable. They've told me to "ignore" the letters as they can see that I've been repaying my half in good faith.
As long as you can proove that you've been paying back your own half of the debt they can't hold you liable for the rest.
Having said that, they say the letters will keep coming whilst the total is outstanding...but just to ignore them.