Child benefit on maternity leave - over 50k

[AliceinSlumberland]

Hi all,
I am due to have a baby in April and I’m trying to work out my budget. I work full time and my salary is 44k, but with over time and I also do some self employed work, I expect my earnings for April 2022-23 to be around 55k. My salary for my year on maternity will obviously be a lot less and no where near 50k.

Is my entitlement to child benefit based on this current year, that I’ve already worked? Or is it worked out based on earnings within the year you’re claiming so for me would be April 22-23?

If I’m over the threshold am I right in thinking it’s still worth claiming and then pay back using self assessment? I already self assess due to the self employed work.

Partner earns less than 50k.

Many thanks

Sorry that should say, will it work it out based on the year I’m on maternity pay/claiming the child benefit, so would be april 23-24.

Apply for it as normal and then wait until the end of the tax year (so 6.4.24 for you?) depending on your due date. If your salary (after adjustments for pension) are gross over 50k, then you may pay a small charge back when doing a self assessment online with hmrc via your personal tax account. You'll need to register for self assessment probably about October 2023 if you think your salary for 22/23 will give above 50k (although I appreciate your OP says this won't happen). You aren't prohibited from applying for child benefit even if you earn over 50k. You can also apply but choose to only opt for the national insurance credits as opposed to the payments plus credits.

Surely if you are due in April the 22-23 tax your is irrelevant. It will be based on your earnings in the 23-24 tax year. So just put in a claim when the baby is born (or from the 5th April if the baby is born earlier)

It is the earnings of the year you are claiming. So you can receive it for 2023-4 while on ml then opt out of receiving payment from April 2024 if well over the 50k or receive it and repay any overpayment via a tax return in January 2026(for 2024-5 tax year).

You will be entitled emito children benefit when on maternity pay if your net adjusted income is under £50k

www.gov.uk/child-benefit-tax-calculator

Use the attached link to check

It may be worth putting money in a pension if you can afford to put 5k in as that comes off.

More and more people are reaching the higher income bracket and are getting caught out with the repayment and fines. This income limit has not been changed for 10 years, if it is was in line with inflation it should be around 65k. This petition is worth signing! HICB tax charge petition