I still dont get it!..

[nori]

OK so i went along to the citizens advice bureau to run through everything face to face and it was an utter waste of time. It was an experience in the waiting room though (some strange man was shouting at the receptionist that he was going to take the government to court as he didnt think he should get a job!)

Anyway.. the lady i was speaking to really didnt have a clue bless her and pretty much just read from a leaflet she had. All i wanted to do was run through figures and know what we would have each month.

I rang the helpline when i got back and i have had all the forms sent out. Now its pretty clear that even though me and my OH are only in a 1 bed house, because we dont claim any other benefits and work we arent entitled to much atall.

This is what i dont understand though... when filling out the forms or going through figures i need to give them my last year earnings.. why?? whats the point as by the time i send the forms back i will be on SMP and then i will only go back part time. Last years earnings are just that LAST YEARS!

What do i do?

Claire x

 

[fran_23]

The reason for last years earnings is because certian things are worked out by how much you earned/tax you payed in the last period not in the future..i think working tax/child tax credits are worked out like that.

 

[nori]

but when i send the forms off i wont have that income so surely any tax credits should be based on what we have coming in?

So frustrating!

 

[fran_23]

yeah but you've earned them..so you might aswell claim them! i know its a pain in the arse coz you have to find you p60 or get all your wage slips etc.. theses ppl would ask for all your toilet roll from the last yr if they could think of an excuse..lol

 

[nori]

oh god im claiming for anything i can as theres so little im entitled too.. annoys me when ive paid my taxes all my life and never claimed a penny. They certainly dont make it easy for you though!

Claire x

 

[bunnymom1980]

For tax credits you have to tell them last years income details and then once they send you out your award ring them and tell them what you will be earning this year and they will amend your award.

 

[kalia]

The theory is that you earn around about the same amount of money each year. For most of us that's not the case for the first year we claim. They want to know what you earned last year but as someone else said you then call them and let them know what you expect your income to be for this tax year. At the end of the tax year you have to let them know what your income was and they will either pay you money due if you got less than you were entitled to or take money back if you were overpaid. It does say on all the things that if your income is different, you start or stop a job and lots of other things that you should get in touch with them.