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If you are living or working in Northern Ireland and have responsibility for a child or qualifying young person in full-time non-advanced education, you may be entitled to Child Tax Credit.

Child Tax Credit is a payment for people with children, whether they are in or out of work.  It is paid by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).  You can get Child Tax Credit if your income is low enough and you are responsible for at least one child.  You will get money from Child Tax Credit for each child.

Who can get Child Tax Credit?

You can get Child Tax Credit if you are 16 or over and you are responsible for at least one child.  This means a child under 16, or a young person up to the age of 19 who is in full-time education up to A level or equivalent, or on certain approved training courses.

Frontier Workers

You must work in the UK to claim Child Tax Credits.

If you live in Ireland and commute across the border into Northern Ireland to work you may be able to claim Child Tax Credit.

How much Child Tax Credit will you get?

The amount of Child Tax Credit you get will depend on your circumstances and your income.  You can get it on quite high gross incomes, including incomes of over £50,000 a year.  If you live with your partner, your incomes will be added together when your claim is assessed.  Some of your income will not be taken into account when your Child Tax Credit is being worked out including Child Benefit and maintenance payments.

The tax credit calculation is very complicated.  If you would like to know how much you should get you should contact an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau.

How to apply for Child Tax Credit

To apply for Child Tax Credit, you can contact the tax credit helpline for an application pack.  The helpline number is 0845 300 3900.  Application packs are also available from HMRC Enquiry centres, local benefit offices and Jobcentres.

When you apply for Child Tax Credit, you will have to provide your National Insurance Number and the National Insurance Number of any partner who lives with you.  If you do not know your National Iinsurance Number, but you think you have one, try to provide information that will help the office find your number.  If you do not have a National Insurance Number, you will have to apply for one.

See also:

• Advice Guide by the Citizens Advice Bureau
• HM Revenue & Customs website
• Tax Credits on NIDirect

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