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Tax Credits - Do I Qualify?

Tax credits can be a confusing and complicated issue. We receive a number of questions regarding this subject, so we thought it would be worth creating a set of articles around the subject. If you have any question, please include them in the comments below and we will do our best to answer them.

What are tax credits?
Tax credits are payments from the government. There are two types of tax credits, Child tax credits and working tax credits.

Am I entitled to tax credits?
The Inland Revenue states that 90% of all people with children and eligible for tax credits. Even if you do not have children you may be entitled to some form of tax credits.

How much is tax credits?
There are a number of factors that will determine the amount of tax credits that you will recieve, including:

  • How many children you are looking after and have living with you
  • How many hours a week you work
  • If you have to pay for child care
  • If any of your children are disabled

Can a tax credit claim be backdated?
Yes, usually it is possible to back date a claim for 3 months. Sometimes there can be delays with the Inland Revenue and therefore it is advised to make your application as quickly as possible

What about overpayment’s of Tax Credits?
Sometimes the Inland Revenue can pay you too much. They may try and claw back this money by adjusting your future tax credits or they may ask you to pay the tax overpayment back.  It is possible to dispute the overpayment demand from the Inland Revenue and this may be successful depending on a number of factors including:

  • If they gave you the correct advice based on the information you gave them
  • If they accurately recorded and used the information you gave them when you made a claim (or renewed your claim) to work out your tax credits and pay you the correct amount
  • If you told them about changes in your circumstances throughout the year so they have accurate and up to date information
  • If you told them about any mistakes on your award notice within one month of receiving it

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Anonymous - Thursday, August 19th, 2010

does grown up childrens income who still live with
you count as household income

sabrina laing - Tuesday, December 21st, 2010

do i get tax credits if im at collage

moira - Monday, January 3rd, 2011

have 2 children aged 17 and 19 . have just been told by tax credits i dont qualify anymore. i work 19 hours a week and cant get anymore hours (have been trying but nothing available). How am i expected to live on my part time wages only.

TaxFix - Monday, January 3rd, 2011

moira: I am very sorry to hear that.

Anonymous  - Thursday, January 6th, 2011

are you entilted to tax credits if you havent worked befre but have a child?

milin patel - Friday, May 20th, 2011

hi I just want to know that do we actually get all the paid tax back irrespective of overpaid or underpaid and can we claim the NI as well if we are leaving UK permenantly?
thanx.

j'deakin - Friday, November 4th, 2011

can i work as selfemployed for 16 hours aweek and cliam tax credits’