HMRC - High Income Child Benefit Letter

[TheGreatDane]

Got this yesterday asking if I am claiming child benefit and if I am, as I'm considered high income I need to pay some charges.

Legitimate letter, however I have no kids.

Do I simply ignore it?

[Simpo Two]

I would reply and tell them you have no children and are so are not claiming child benefit.

[CorradoTDI]

Bit odd - you sure it's not a scam?

[andy43]

I wouldn't use any of the contact details on the letter. Use google instead to contact them and make sure nobodies scamming using your name.

[Simpo Two]

andy43 said:

I wouldn't use any of the contact details on the letter. Use google instead to contact them and make sure nobodies scamming using your name.

Good idea (my reply was based on his assertion that the letter was legitimate)

[TheGreatDane]

CorradoTDI said:

Bit odd - you sure it's not a scam?

100% not a scam, its an authentic letter.

I have contacted them via the form on the HMRC site.

Cheers all.

[Some Gump]

I think HMRC are having a fit.

They just sent me a letter saying i owe tax from 2018, and i have to pay it by feb 2021.

Its dated november 2021..

[The Moose]

Some Gump said:

I think HMRC are having a fit.

They just sent me a letter saying i owe tax from 2018, and i have to pay it by feb 2021.

Its dated november 2021..

Isn’t that just a way for them to establish when the interest starts from?

[deggles]

Worst "I earn six figs" thread ever.

If it's legit, then I'd reply telling them you don't claim child benefit, never have, and tell them to do one.

[geeks]

deggles said:

Worst "I earn six figs" thread ever.

If it's legit, then I'd reply telling them you don't claim child benefit, never have, and tell them to do one.

One doesn't have to earn 6 figs to be considered a high earner anymore...

[VR99]

If you earn £50-60k (gross) then I *think* there is a sliding scale for paying additional tax if claiming child benefit e.g: £50k you pay no additional tax but at £60k they will basically claw it all back as tax....I could be wrong but along those lines I believe.

• Disclaimer, I'm not an expert and other factors to consider such as BIK, pension salary sacrifice etc etc that will impact your taxable pay

Edited by VR99 on Friday 3rd December 12:53

[Simpo Two]

Some Gump said:

I think HMRC are having a fit.

They just sent me a letter saying i owe tax from 2018, and i have to pay it by feb 2021.

I had a letter from HMRC saying my tax return was outstanding.

That's odd because I don't remember sending one in.

[JezHill]

Simpo Two said:

Some Gump said:

I think HMRC are having a fit.

They just sent me a letter saying i owe tax from 2018, and i have to pay it by feb 2021.

I had a letter from HMRC saying my tax return was outstanding.

That's odd because I don't remember sending one in.

On an otherwise boring and wet Friday afternoon - that did make me laugh.

[CAPP0]

Simpo Two said:

I had a letter from HMRC saying my tax return was outstanding.

Nice compliment to receive though!

[EthanSmale]

Simpo Two said:

I had a letter from HMRC saying my tax return was outstanding.

That's odd because I don't remember sending one in.

Still a classic

[supersport]

EthanSmale said:

Simpo Two said:

I had a letter from HMRC saying my tax return was outstanding.

That's odd because I don't remember sending one in.

Still a classic

I am going to steel that

[Mr E]

deggles said:

Worst "I earn six figs" thread ever.

Child benefit results in additional taxation from 50k. Wiped out entirely at 60k. No PH thrusting directors required.

How the earner is supposed to know if someone in the household is claiming child benefit is unclear. Obviously one can ask, but one could be lied to and I’m not sure “the other party told me porky pies” holds up against HMRC investigating for tax fraud.

[Carbon Sasquatch]

When you do have kids - claim it even if you're over the income threshold.

I didn't bother, only to realise years later that Mrs CS did not receive NI credits towards the state pension as I didn't bother to claim, even though we would have received zero.

As a result I'm nor paying voluntary NI for those 'missing' years so that she gets a full state pension.

[PistonHead007]

Carbon Sasquatch said:

As a result I'm nor paying voluntary NI for those 'missing' years so that she gets a full state pension.

You might be cutting off your nose to spite your face somewhat. A year's worth of NIC is about £800 in return for an extra £5.13pw for life of escalating guaranteed income. Money back in three years...

[Mr E]

PistonHead007 said:

Carbon Sasquatch said:

As a result I'm nor paying voluntary NI for those 'missing' years so that she gets a full state pension.

You might be cutting off your nose to spite your face somewhat. A year's worth of NIC is about £800 in return for an extra £5.13pw for life of escalating guaranteed income. Money back in three years...

I suspect that nor is an autocorrect for “now”