Child Benefit charge

The High Income Child Benefit charge applies to a taxpayer who has income over £60,000 (for 2024/25, £50,000 for 2023/24) in a tax year where either they or their partner, if they have one, are in receipt of Child Benefit for the year.

We set out below the main points of the charge and illustrate some of the practical issues.

Does this affect my family?

The High Income Child Benefit charge is payable by a taxpayer who has 'adjusted net income' (explained later) in excess of £60,000 where either they or their partner, if they have one, are in receipt of Child Benefit. Where there is a partner and both partners have adjusted net income in excess of £60,000 the charge only applies to the partner with the higher income.

Note that partner does not just include spouses or civil partners but also anyone you live with as if you were spouses/civil partners.

Practical issues

Some couples with fluctuating income levels may find that they are caught by the charge or perhaps that the partner who usually has the highest income does not actually end up paying the charge as the following example illustrates.

For couples who do not share their financial details there is a problem as it is difficult to accurately complete their tax return (or know if they need to contact HMRC to request one) if their own income is over £50,000 and Child Benefit is being claimed. Only the highest earning partner is liable so this will need to be determined.

Changes in circumstances

As the charge is by reference to weeks, the charge will only apply to those weeks of the tax year for which the partnership exists. If a couple breaks up, the partner with the highest income will only be liable for the period from 6 April to the week in which the break up occurs.

Conversely, if a couple comes together and Child Benefit is already being paid, the partner with the highest income will only be liable to the charge for those weeks from the date the couple start living together until the end of the tax year.

So what is the adjusted net income of £60,000 made up of?

It can be seen that the rules revolve around 'adjusted net income', which is broadly:

• income (total income subject to income tax less specified deductions e.g. trading losses and payments made gross to pension schemes)
• reduced by grossed up Gift Aid donations to charity and personal pension contributions which have received tax relief at source.

In some cases it may be that an individual may want to donate more to charity or make additional pension contributions: for example, to reduce or avoid the charge.

Inequity applies as household income is not taken into account.

Therefore, equalising income for those who have the flexibility to do so such as in family partnerships or family owner managed businesses may be important.

The charge

An income tax charge will apply at a rate of 1% of the full Child Benefit award for each £200 of income between £60,000 and £80,000. The charge on taxpayers with income above £80,000 will be equal to the amount of Child Benefit paid.

How does the administration operate?

In the self assessment system individuals are required to notify HMRC if they have a liability to income tax, capital gains tax (CGT) and the High Income Child Benefit Charge by 6 October following the tax year.

In addition, the charge is included in Pay as You Earn (PAYE) regulations so that it can be collected through PAYE, using a reduced tax code. It is also included in the definition of tax liability, so that it could potentially affect payments on account and balancing payments.

So should you continue to claim Child Benefit?

It is important to appreciate that Child Benefit itself is not liable to tax and the amount that can be claimed is therefore unaffected by the charge. It can therefore continue to be paid in full to the claimant even if they or their partner have a liability to the charge.

On the other hand Child Benefit claimants are able to elect not to receive the Child Benefit to which they are entitled if they or their partner do not wish to pay the charge. This will not affect the credit available (for state pension purposes) to certain people who stay at home to look after children (provided that an initial claim for child benefit was made when the child was born).

An election can be revoked if a person's circumstances change.

But I don’t file a tax return?

It may well be that you and/or your partner have not filed a tax return before but this may need to change. You need to tell HMRC by 6 October following the end of the tax year if you think a charge may be due.

Guidance

HMRC have issued some guidance on the charge and the options available which can be found here. This should be essential reading for many families.