Child Benefit - 52 or 53 weeks?

Child Benefit - 52 or 53 weeks?

Didn't find your answer?

A simple question - for Tax Return and HICBC purposes is 2015/16 a 52 or 53 week year re the CB?

The HMRC (government website) is unhelpful. It only shows the 2016/17 rate. If you want to see an earlier tax year's rate - go the the HICBC area therein and cheat i.e. add any date of birth (before the tax year in question) for one child and see the result. The answer is correct if divided by 53. Simlarly, re 2 or more children. Should the HICBC calculator not be using 52 weeks.......? 

 

Replies (11)

Please login or register to join the discussion.

RLI
By lionofludesch
16th May 2016 13:32

What day is it payable ?

If it's Monday or Tuesday, it'll be 53.

If you don't know, here's the answer ...

https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit-payment-dates

Thanks (1)
Replying to lionofludesch:
avatar
By rjwaberuk
16th May 2016 14:23

Thanks - but the point was - why does the HICBC calculator in GOV.UK appear to only give 53 weeks x the rate of CB as the HICBC answer for the tax year in all cases..........it does not ask for a payment date........

Thanks (0)
Replying to rjwaberuk:
By Steve Kesby
16th May 2016 14:28

Payment date is irrelevant. HICBC is based on the amount to which you are entitled, and that is calculated based on weeks ending on a Monday. As has been pointed out, there were 53 Mondays (and Tuesdays) in 2015/16.

Thanks (0)
Replying to rjwaberuk:
RLI
By lionofludesch
16th May 2016 16:53

rjwaberuk wrote:

Thanks - but the point was - why does the HICBC calculator in GOV.UK appear to only give 53 weeks x the rate of CB as the HICBC answer for the tax year in all cases..........it does not ask for a payment date........

As Steve says - it's because that's what they got paid.

If you care to look at the link, there are only two options for CB - Mondays and Tuesdays. There were 53 of each in 2015/16. Check the calendar.

If you have a valid point, I'm missing it.

Thanks (0)
Replying to lionofludesch:
avatar
By rjwaberuk
17th May 2016 09:40

Thank you - then 53 weeks it is - wonder how many taxpayers will return the wrong 2015/16 HICBC figure on their SA Tax Returns (4 weekly payments throughout a normal year would be 13 i.e. 13 x 4 = 52) - the GOV.UK Child Benefit page does not mention there are 53 payments. The HICBC calculator (if used by a taxpayer) whilst giving an answer which equates to 53 weeks does not mention 53 payments. Where the calculation is for the complete tax year, it could add after its answer something simple like: "For clarity - this is 53 (not 52) x the weekly rate as there are 53 weeks in this CB tax year"

Thanks (0)
Replying to rjwaberuk:
RLI
By lionofludesch
17th May 2016 14:37

Indeed it could. However, they never have done for State Retirement Pension. If you get it wrong, my experience is that HMRC "repair" your return.

Take comfort from the fact that 52 is right 6 times out of 7.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By Elgin
03rd Dec 2016 17:46

Tolley's Tax Guide 2015/16 gives £1,789 in the example on page 224 which is based on 52 weeks and incorrect. Glad I double checked.........

Thanks (0)
avatar
By Simon Oates
20th Dec 2016 10:43

I am confused. The rate for 2 children is £34.40 per week so with 53 weeks that agrees with the £1,823.20 on the .gov Child Benefit tax calculator. However most people receive the Child Benefit directly into the bank so £137.60 is received every 4 weeks. There were 13 payments received in 2015-16 so £1,788.80 has been received. Is everyone who elects to be paid direct into their bank due an additional week? Also what goes on the Tax Return? The £1,788.80 actually received or the £1823.20 that HMRC are expecting?

Thanks (0)
Replying to Simon Oates:
RLI
By lionofludesch
20th Dec 2016 10:59

£1823.

It's like proper accounts, not new fangled cash accounting.

Thanks (0)
Replying to lionofludesch:
avatar
By Simon Oates
20th Dec 2016 11:21

OK, but how do you claim the extra week that you are entitled to (and have to repay if you earn more than £60k)?

Thanks (0)
Replying to Simon Oates:
RLI
By lionofludesch
21st Dec 2016 10:53

Eh ?

It comes every four weeks. Those four-weekly payments don't necessarily represent benefits for the same tax year.

Thanks (0)