Tax credits - working hours

[tanyadrhodes]

Can someone please help me understand whether we'd be eligible for tax credits?

I'm currently on maternity leave with my second and final child (not directly relevant to question).

 

I work four days a week - 28 hours - in my job, earning £27000ish, pro rated to £23300. I want to apply for a job which is 14 hours, earning £34000, pro rated to £13800.

My husband works full time for £23300:

 

In the new job, I would be paying over £700 a month for a two day / two child nursery space.

So:

Four day job - household income £46600ish, childcare £1420

Two day job - household income £37100, childcare £710

Entitledto seems to suggest that we wouldn't get any tax credit help because I would only be working 14 hours - but if I call it 16 hours on the same income, we'd get £86 a week. So 2 hours is the difference between us being eligible for nearly £400 a month?

Please don't think I am expecting the system to pick up the tab for our choice to have children, and my current wish to reduce my hours. I am trying to find the best way to develop my career, while also spending more time caring for my children. It's a department head role which would allow me to progress to director - i.e. higher tax rate - roles in the future once the kids are at school - so I will be contributing back to the system!

[citizenB]

https://www.gov.uk/benefits-adviser

 

The link above takes you to the benefit calculator. If you click on "more" under the heading "Benefits", right at the very end of the list is the Tax credit section.

 

Have a look at that see if it helps, I think most of those caggers who help in this forum are usually around during week days.

[tanyadrhodes]

Thanks for that - it was helpful, though I got tripped up a few times, as the questions are quite comprehensive! The upshot is that it confirms we'd get in the region of £350 a month if I work 16 hours, and zilch if I work 14, despite two days being two days in terms of nursery fees! Plus I know that 14 contracted hours ends up being more than that in my line of work, especially if I have to do out of hours calls. Food for thought, thanks for your help!

[ericsbrother]

There is a sliding scale they usse depending on how many hours you work but if less than 16 you get nothing at all.