Working / Child tax credits

The tax credit system is a nightmare to understand. I can see how someone might just ignore the letters and take what they get. I can get three letters sent on the same day with different amounts in each. I have now given up trying to understand or question.

The benefit fraud line is completely anonymous and they won't take your name or number even if you wanted them to. They will investigate and it will only go further if they feel they have enough evidence. It will not harm you to report it and leave the investigating to them.

My ex got us into a right mess with benefits when we separated and its only been sorted recently.
She was overpaid £1500 for 08-09 for the WTC element and they contacted both of us for the debt, which was paid to her own current account, I never saw a pence of it. This was also when she was fleecing me for the mortgage payment for the FMH all the while going into arrears on an agreed 'break' with them. For the first year of our separation she earned about £3500/mo underhandedly and dishonestly from me, unlicensced lodgers and benefit fraud.
I obviously realise now that I should have reported the change myself but I was unaware such things existed at the time.
Anyway I wrote a letter to the tax man, detailing exactly when I left the FMH, the names, and ages of the children and the current living arrangements and said that if they were notified anything other than what I told them (if she tried to fudge the dates saying I left in 2009 not 2008 to avoid paying back the overpayment) that this would be fraudulent and for them to contact me asap.
That was end of may and I havent heard anything back as yet..
I did however hear recently that she was fined by the council for her unlicensed lodgers to the tune of £2500. I didn't report her myself but I am certain it was someone who knew her.

Not sure how she's managing it as my child tax credit stopped automatically as soon as my youngest daughter went into employment.

Each year when you get your tax credit review its made very clear that you are confirming whether your circumstances are accurately recorded so she cant have missed this if she is still receiving the money.

Even if she was no longer receiving child tax credit - just working tax credit - the cut off point for this is income of about 12k - 13k so she shouldnt receive anything.

I know it puts you in an awkward situation if you report it but they're going to notice it at some point anyway and she'll have to pay it all back and also possibly be prosecuted.

Thanks....Just glad my name is not on any documentation....trouble is she has been so blaze about this money, using it for holidays etc she is bound to get caught out eventually and then the cr-p will hit the fan. I now found out she has been claiming single parent allowance since 2005 as well!!

If your name is not on any documentation and you are not benefiting, then you have no liability and will not get drawn in.

If you are paying her anything, make sure payments are made by standing order to hr bank account (so there can be no siuggestion that you gave her money in cash so it didn't have to be declared)

If you are still married, it may be sensible for you to divorce and get a Clean Break financial order.

As others have said, if you are concerned about her morality you can report it anonymously

Thanks god it is not..This is one of the reasons we are getting divorced.........I pay her the MPS through her bank account...yes I pay her MPS as well as her receiving all these tax credits...Do not tell me the system is fair...of course she did not declare all these tax credits at the MPS hearing and the magistrate got suckered in and felt sorry for her....I wonder if he would now...I very much doubt it
They will catch up with her if they already have not!!!!!!

icallea1 wrote:

Can anyone tell me how my estranged wife is receiving child and working tax credits of £7240 per year. She earns nearly 20k per year

All our kids are over 18. Only our daughter who is 19 is living at home and in full time employment. The boys 23 and 21 live with their partners respectively

I do not live with her anymore and I am concerned she is committing benifit fraud and I DO NOT WANT TO BE DRAGGED INTO ANY PROCEEDINGS

Everbody has told me to inform the Inland revenue but I am concrened I might get dragged into the situation

Comments please

Can I ask you say you don't live with her therefore it's a single claim -so how do you know she gets that amount ? how did you find out what evidence did you have ?

I'm trying to find things out about my stbx and so far found out a big fat nothing .