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A new system of Tax Credits was introduced for 2003/04. It is a major change to the way in which the tax
system provides support to people with children and workers on low incomes. Tax Credits are paid to those who
claim them, and are not an adjustment in the tax computation.
Working Tax Credit (WTC) is paid to employed and self-employed people on low incomes. The full entitlement
is given for an income of only £5,060, and it is tapered away to nothing by the time income reaches
about £13,500.
There is an additional element which will cover 70% of qualifying childcare costs of up to £200pw for
two children, and a couple entitled to this can enjoy substantial credit even on incomes over £30,000.
Child Tax Credit (CTC) is paid to the main carer for children up to 16 years old, or up to 18 in full-time
education. Entitlement is built up of elements for each child, and for "the family". The child elements are
tapered away as income increases. The family element of £545 will be paid in full to couples with a
combined income of up to about £50,000; after that, it will be tapered away to nothing by the time the
joint income reaches £58,000, or £66,000 in the year a child is born.
Claims are made provisionally for the coming year based on a previous year's income (2003/04 for 2004/05
claims), and may be revised up or down at the end of the year if income has changed significantly.
The new system is very complicated, and this can only serve as a brief summary. The Inland Revenue website
(www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk) has a ready-reckoner
facility which will estimate the amount of either tax credit due, and also has forms and details of how to
apply.
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