How to pay back child benefit?

[5831bob123]

I was claiming child benefit during April 23/24 tax year while the higher earner threshold was at the lower rate. My partners salary fluctuates due to performance related bonuses and when i realised his annual income would be above the threshold I cancelled the payments. The last payment I received was January 2024. I received a letter from HMRC to state payments had been cancelled and if my circumstances changed to contact them.

How do I pay back the money? Do I need to complete a tax return? I completed a tax return for April 22/23 as he earnt between £50-£60k. April 23/24 he earnt £65k.

It’s your partner as the higher earner who needs to complete the tax return.

Thanks HDready.
Yes it will be my partner doing the tax return. I find them such a minefield! I think we will need to pay back the full amount because he earnt over the threshold, is that right?
I know they have changed threshold going forward but I'm not going to claim in future!

You won't have to pay it all back I don't think, not sure what the old rules were but it's not up to £60k now but higher earner charge applies between 60-80k. No point in claiming if you earn over £80k

Its after pension deductions usually.

So you may back a bit less then all, depends how much your DP puts into his pension.

You may be able to pay it via a change in tax code rather than a lump sum. Check HMRC for tax return deadline to do this. Child benefit is over £1300 per year for 1 child so if you get all or most of it I would think that's a reasonable pay for filling bin a tax return.

It'll be a tax code, your partner does the return and it'll get adjusted.

Just to add the deadline for registering for Self Assessment if he needs to is 5 October.

Online tax return needs to be done by 30 December if to pay via tax code.

Not necessarily all, it is on a sliding scale up to 60k earnings, taking out pension contributions and some other deductions. (Check his p60). If he is a hr tax payer he probably needs to make a tax return anyway and may find some credits as well as needing to pay cb back.

Just to remind people that if you earn above the threshold you should still put in the application and select not to receive benefits.
This ensures that if you take time out for maternity or to look after young children you still get your NI stamp.
Many councils use the 'entitlement' to child benefit letter for the resident parent to cross check against council tax registered address. I've been told (but can't verify) that this also then links to the child getting an NI number automatically at 16 rather than needing more forms.