We all need a bit of free money right now and I got a great email from a friend telling me about a little known Child Benefit that pretty much nobody knows about / has claimed. £520 per eligible child….fancy it?
It’s called the “unclaimed children’s tax allowance for 2002/3” and apparently hardly anyone knows about it although many of us are entitled to it.
I’ve just called the number shown and they checked my tax records and confirmed that I may be entitled.
They have told me to write to HMRC at my local office with all my details (including that of the name of my partner / spouse at the time, and specifically mentioning the “unclaimed children’s tax allowance for 2002/3 ” so it seems to be genuine!
Here are the details….
Information for Parents -Unclaimed Children’s Tax Allowance for 2002/3
The year before Tax Credits were introduced there was a different non-means tested allowance available which was never advertised by the Inland Revenue.
It is called the Children’s Tax Allowance for the Year 2002/3.
You can still claim this tax allowance before the 31 January 2009 deadline.
You need to phone HMRC on 0845 302 1437 and ask them to check whether you have already received this allowance and, if not, enquire as to what action you need to take.
You are eligible to claim £520.00 allowance if;
*You have a child born between 6 April 1986 and 5 April 2003
*The child lived with you for all or part of 2002/2003
*You worked and paid tax for all or part of 2002/2003
*You or your partner earned £6,000 plus in the year 2002/2003 tax year
You are eligible for the £1,040 allowance if;
*If you can answer yes to the four questions above, and
*One of your children was born between 6 April 2002 and 5 April 2003
Notes:-
*Making a claim does not affect your current or future entitlement to Working or Child Tax credits.
*Your Marital status is irrelevant
*You cannot claim the allowance twice and if your final tax code on your April 2003 P60 ended in a H or a T, you have already had the allowance.
*This is an easy claim for you to make so do not get duped into paying someone to do it for you because they are likely to charge a large percentage for their services.
Spread the word by clicking the “Share / Save” link at the bottom of this post, as this could be something which gives you and other parents a little extra in these difficult times!!
Great advice about DIY Nicola. I first became aware of the reminders through a site offering to do it for you – for a charge of course.
I’m not at all sure that many people missed out if they were on PAYE or had an accountant helping them with their tax return in 2002/03. Time will tell I suppose.
This particular Children’s Tax Credit, was only around for two years.
The allowance for 2003/03 was £5290 and relief is given at 10% (like MCA) and is tapered away if income exceeds the higher rate threshold. There was an extra 10% of £5200 for a new baby.
This was the successor to additional child relief and to married couples allowance for those under 65. The taxman used their database to tell people who were likely to be entitled. It went in the PAYE code and you also had to fill in a tax return section.
Anyone who was married will need to have access to the relevant info for both husband and wife as if one didn’t get it the other may have done so.
There are loads of tax relief claims and elections that can be made each year and which, if overlooked, can be made upto 6 years after the normal filing date for tax returns. I’m not sure how many would be of rela interest or value to your subscribers but maybe I’ll start a list (in time for next year!)