Child tax credit....what a mess!!!

[thecockle]

Hi all,first timer here with bad typing skills as well!

we moved to spain a number of years ago,and informed the necessary agencies to stop our then child benefits etc.we applied for child tax credits (as we are still tax domiciled in the UK,) when they came into being, and have been receiving them for a number of years,and since then have each year been recorded by H.M.R.C, letters,etc,as living in spain.they have now said that we should never have received them as we do not come under the criteria of entitlement.....after all this time and, in our case because we live in spain! we have always kept HMRC aware of our circumstances so my questions are 1. we say they have made an error,so are we obliged to pay back monies ? 2.if so, how far back in years can they go? or 3. do we have to pay professionals,lawyers or accountants that is,or fight this ourselves???.they say that they have written to us and telephoned but we have not heard or received a thing(HMRC that is) many thanks for any advice given.

[Inca]

Re: Child tax credit....what a mess!!!

Hi and to LegalBeagles.
I don't know enough to be able to help you per se..other Beagles will pop by,,,but the one thing I can tell you is HMRC have dug up files from over 20 years ago and are pinging demands out left right and centre (and they are not all correct as you can imagine)https://www.gov.uk/tax-credits-if-mo...outside-the-uk

[CleverClogs]

Re: Child tax credit....what a mess!!!

(as we are still tax domiciled in the UK,)

Why?

[Amethyst]

Re: Child tax credit....what a mess!!!

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/th...ts/dispute.htm

[Amethyst]

Re: Child tax credit....what a mess!!!

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...=561437&page=2

Sorry for just posting links xx basically you need to show it is their mistake and you have kept them informed. Lots of useful info on the expat forum on benefits and tax credits xxx

[Inca]

Re: Child tax credit....what a mess!!!

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...=561437&page=2

Sorry for just posting links xx basically you need to show it is their mistake and you have kept them informed. Lots of useful info on the expat forum on benefits and tax credits xxx

Reading all the links provided it does appear you aren't entitled to CTC and there is indeed an overpayment.
You need to dispute this as you say you have always kept HMRC informed,so,on that basis it IS their mistake.
As the claims are 'recent' (as in not 20 years ago) they should have records and be able to provide you with copies of your claim forms for each year,and as you have kept them up to speed on your whereabouts it will show the error is theirs.

By the way,,,are they saying they have written to you in Spain? and what phone number do they have?
They can claim back every penny from the start of the claim.
As it's a yearly renewal have they sent you the forms in Spain?