Tax Credit penelty worried sick

[Ajtw]

Hi i am married and living with my husband and 4 children, my husband works i dont but recieve carers allowence for my youngest child, i recieved a letter from the tax credits saying that the income they held for me was different to what they had looked into they had, i had said 21,500 and they had 27,500 was including a bonus which did not realise that had to be included stupid i know but thought it was just the amount he earned a year i thought you had to give so i rang them and gave the tax office the correct income from the p60 i also did not declare that my husband has a company car, so gave all the info needed but now worried sick after reading the letter about peneltys and procecution etc been up all night worried sick am going to prison or got to pay money back i cant afford i know i should have took more care when filling out the form but now so worried any advice would be great as to what could happen the penelties team have the info now but still not heard from them ive tried ringing most days but they said it could take up to 4 weeks thanks in advance

[honeybee13]

Hello there.

 

I don't think prison is likely, certainly we hardly ever see that happen here. Please bear with us until some people who know more than me can come along, I'm sure they'll have advice for you.

 

My best, HB

[Ajtw]

Thanks. x

[catzeyes79]

Prison is a definite no and a penalty should be small if any at all.

[catzeyes79]

That is if it is your first and only minor offence. If you persistently do it watch out!

[Ajtw]

Thanks i hope so yeah its the 1st time am just so worried feel sick. x x x

[Gemy]

Hi

 

Im in the same situation as u, gave the wrong income and about the company car, i phoned them last thursday and told them that it was my mistake and their info they had was correct, the lady on the phone said she was going to pass it on, but i still havent heard anything, im phoning the helpline everyday but my payments are still the same, im just wanting to know what the overpayment and payments are going to be, we only live on my husbands income and he doesnt get paid till the 22nd dec, so im needing to know when or if they are going to stop my payments so i can sort out about getting some money from somewhere.

[Ajtw]

Ive got a number for the penelties team but with the strikes today they took my number and said they would call me back tomorrow. Did your letter mention the penelties etc too ? Will let you know onces i get some info back from them will you do the same thanks. x

[Gemy]

It did say about a penalty on the letter but it reads, that if u comply with them and help as much as u can it will reduce the penalty or they may even decide to not charge the penalty all together, but i suppose its up to them at the end of the day. Will keep u updated

[tifo]

Hi i am married and living with my husband and 4 children, my husband works i dont but recieve carers allowence for my youngest child, i recieved a letter from the tax credits saying that the income they held for me was different to what they had looked into they had, i had said 21,500 and they had 27,500 was including a bonus which did not realise that had to be included

 

First of all I didn't know parents could claim carer's allowance for looking after their own children?

 

Secondly, £21,500 is a lot for someone not working?

[ErikaPNP]

First of all I didn't know parents could claim carer's allowance for looking after their own children?

 

Secondly, £21,500 is a lot for someone not working?

 

Yes, CA can be claimed for caring for your own child if the child is receiving the mid or high rate care component of Disability Living Allowance and the other qualifying conditions are met. The income she refers to in her post does not appear to be her own, although she's said 'me'. It seems that she is talking about her husband's income.

thought it was just the amount he earned a year i thought you had to give

 

 

Ajtw, an overpayment will usually be recovered by reducing your ongoing award. A penalty may also be payable but only tax credit can decide whether or not to apply one. Provided you comply willingly and give full disclosure - which it appears you have done - prosecution in the circumstances (for tax credits) is unlikely.

[antone]

I seem to recall hearing that HMRC is a lot less "trigger happy" than the DWP when it comes to criminal prosecutions, preferring civil action where required.

[Ajtw]

Yes that wage is my husbands not mine I had to give up work to look after my sick son so yes I do receive money to help look after him

[Ajtw]

I posted in November that my tax credits income was wrong on my claim and i recieved a letter to say the income they had to what i said was different so i rang straight away to clear things up and give the correct information, this was in November and i keep ringing for updates its with the penelties team and the girl dealing with it just keeps saying its with her mananger and that they are still dealing with it i told her on the phone i was worried and said that i had worried about all sorts and that i thought i was going to prison and she laughed and said no but i cant help worry should it take so long what normally happens after they have looked at it ? Am going crazy with worry anyone else been through this and could you please let me know the outcome thanks xxxx

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

The problem probably is that the department

has an enormous backlog of cases and the

exta long Christmas hol has only made it worse,

the girl is right I think no danger of a custodial

sentence.

[Ajtw]

Thank you yeah think its not helped it being the holidays am just so worried i worry a lot about thing anyway this is sending me over the edge just need to know now thanks Ajtw xxxx

[Ajtw]

Still no news

[Ajtw]

I recieved a letter re my overpayment to tax credits and they have amended my award and lowered my payments to take back the overpayment and have also charged me a penelty for not giving the correct information on my award notice the penelty is over £1000 and they want the money in 30 days the office is closed today that i need to speak to has anyone else had a penelty and been able to spread the payment over a few months just i have not got this kind of money to pay so quick help thanks.

[ErikaPNP]

Hi Ajtw.

 

You can ask to pay over a longer period of time but be aware that they can charge interest if they allow you more than 30 days to pay.