Tax credits help

[Happygolucky]

Hi I desperately need some good advice over tax credits when the new 24 hr rule came in with tax credits I begged my employer for an extra hour as I worked 23 hours they told me that they would pay me for 24 hours and change my contracted hours to 24 and as I already did overtime I could make the overtime up over the year I never thought anything was wrong with this as after reading through tax credits info I just basically had to average 24 hours then last week my friend told me during a conversation she was pretty sure this isn't aloud now I'm worrying myself sick I can't sleep eat anything I worry a lot anyway as I suffer from anxiety I don't no what to do as if assume my employer would not do this if it was wrong.please don't judge me I just need advice

[Happygolucky]

Re: Tax credits help

Just to add I do have a record of the hours I have worked over the years

[Happygolucky]

Re: Tax credits help

Does anyone have any advice please I'm not sleeping or eating iv scared myself silly I'm imaging the worst scenarios of going to prison and losing my 2 beautiful boys I'd rather die than lose them please help

[Happygolucky]

Re: Tax credits help

Anyone

[enaid]

Re: Tax credits help

HI and welcome,
I am no expert at all on Tax Credits here is some info for you and also links for more info as to if you qualify http://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/work-hours-rules Have a read it may just answer your question and someone else who may be able to help you further may be a long soon.
Enaid x

[Amethyst]

Re: Tax credits help

Your partner doesn't work at all ? (as the 24 hrs is between you not each)

Do you get Child Tax credit as well or just Working Tax Credit ?

If you are now contracted to 24 hours, and you are working 24 hours then really I don't see a problem. Are you paid standard pay rate for the 24 hours?

Are you declaring your pay for overtime ?

from Enaid's link

To qualify for working tax credit if you are part of a couple and you are responsible for children, you must work at least 24 hours a week between the two of you. This is in addition to the existing rule that either you or your partner must be working at least 16 hours a week. If only one of you work, then they must work at least 24 hours.

[Happygolucky]

Re: Tax credits help

I have read through hundreds of these sites I don't understand it at all I don't know if I have been doing the wrong thing I have never give it any thought before if I have been doing it all wrong I'm totally buggered in so much trouble I can't cope

[Happygolucky]

Re: Tax credits help

No my partner is a student I claim working tax credit aswel as child tax credit no I'm not declaring any overtime pay as im not been paid for it I'm paid at a set rate of 24 hours weekly work 23 but use overtime to make up the extra hour over the year

[Amethyst]

Re: Tax credits help

Have you worked out what the difference is in your entitlements if you worked 24 hours to if you worked 23 hours ?

You know if you always work overtime anyway it counts for your hours - so really I think you are worrying uneccessarily. If you were just lying about your working hours that's entirely different to increasing your hours at work.... the tax office will see what pay and hours you do anyway as they will be on your payslips?

[enaid]

Re: Tax credits help

I thought you said your firm had altered your contract to read 24 hours, if so that will be proof that you are doing it right

[Happygolucky]

Re: Tax credits help

I wouldn't be entitled if I worked 23 hours my payslips say 24 hours my p60 equates to working 24 hours weekly on minimum wage.i essentially do overtime throughout the year which I'm not paid for as im paid at an average of 24 hours n work 52 hours overtime a year unpaid to make my average at working 24 hours this is how iv always done it and as my employer is paying me at 24 hours which shows on my payslip I didn't think it was wrong

- - - Updated - - -

Yes I have a written statement sheet thing that states my job title n my contracted hours are 24

[enaid]

Re: Tax credits help

Yes I have a written statement sheet thing that states my job title n my contracted hours are 24

If that there 'statement sheet thing' lol is your contract of employment well imo it is all the proof you need.

[Happygolucky]

Re: Tax credits help

So even though I work 23 hours but top this up over the year to average 24 a week and I'm actually paid 24 hours a week that is ok

[Amethyst]

Re: Tax credits help

If you are paid 24 hours a week and contracted to 24 hours a week, just sometimes do actual 23 hrs and sometimes 26 hrs it is really not an issue.....

[enaid]

Re: Tax credits help

People who do regular overtime can include that in their normal working hours, even if they don’t have that overtime occasionally. For example, if a person is contracted to work 25 hours a week but with overtime has worked 30 hours every week for the last 12 months, it is unlikely that his working hours will fall below 30 if there are two weeks where he only works 25 (due to lack of overtime).

http://www.revenuebenefits.org.uk/tax-credits/guidance/how-do-tax-credits-work/entitlement/wtc-elements/#Working hours