Parents Of Teenagers Can Extend Child Benefit Claim Online
HMRC is reminding parents of 16 to 19-year-olds to extend their Child Benefit claim by August 31 to ensure their payments continue. Last year, 870,000 parents extended this benefit, with most confirming the extension online.
You can use either the HMRC app if you have it downloaded, or the digital service online at Gov.uk to guarantee that the payments are extended. But whatever method you choose, it needs to be done by August 31 to ensure the payments continue seamlessly.
This is because without confirming an extension, Child Benefit will automatically stop on or after your child’s 16th birthday.
Is it worth the hassle to extend Child Benefit?
Child Benefit is currently worth £26.05 per week, which adds up to £1,354.60 per year for the eldest or only child. Any additional children you have will qualify for £17.25 per week, or £897 per year, neither or which is a sum to be sniffed at.
You are entitled to extend your Child Benefit if your child is remaining in full-time education after 16, or going into approved training after finishing their GCSEs. Letters will be going out to families to remind them to extend the benefit between May and July if it is relevant for them.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “Child Benefit is an important boost to families. As soon as you know what your teenager is planning to do, extend your claim in minutes to guarantee your payments continue in September. Simply go to Gov.uk or the HMRC app to confirm.”
Isn’t there a rule about those earning too much to get Child Benefit?
If the person claiming the Child Benefit or their partner has an individual income of more than £60,000 to £80,000 per year, then you might face the High-Income Child Benefit Charge. This will reduce the amount of Child Benefit you can get.
For the 2024/25 tax year, you will lose 1% of your Child Benefit per £200 you earn above £60,000. This means you will lose all the Child Benefit when you reach £80,000 a year or more.
You can use the Child Benefit tax calculator to see how much you will receive and what the charge might be. If you must pay a charge, then you will have the option to use a digital service this summer onwards to pay the charge through your PAYE, rather than having to file a separate self-assessment tax return. But if you prefer to file a separate return to deal with this, then you still can.
Families who have opted out of Child Benefit payments can restart their payments quickly via the online portal or the HMRC app.
We can help you meet your obligations
If you are unsure whether you might need to pay the High-Income Child Benefit Charge, or need any help extending or restarting your Child Benefit claims, then please get in touch and we would be happy to give you the guidance you need.
