Maternity Leave

[mohenley]

I know there are some posts on this already but cannot seem to find any that help with my queries.

I am going on maternity leave in July. This is my first time taking maternity leave and am due twins.

I am not getting paid any top up by my employer so will only get statutory. I should receive the higher maternity benefit of €262 but am not sure how much of this €262 I will actually receive. Can any one advise?

Also say I chose to go on maternity end of June would I avoid getting taxed or is everyone taxed from 1st July regardless of when they start maternity leave (assume this is the case)?

Should I pass the tax credits over to my husband when off or should I keep the ones that I have as this would mean that i should still nearly get the full €262 back (my husband gets more cedits than me now anyhow)?

Finally it is not clear on the revenue site about getting tax back when I return to work in 2014. I assume I should be entitled to claim some tax back for this year. Can I do this as soon as I return to work.

Sorry for all the queries but been researching and asking people to no avail so thought I would post here incase any of you ahve any knowledge. Thanks in advance.

 

[micheller]

Congratulations on the twins

Firstly you should contact the tax office to ensure you and your husband are jointly assessed.
After that, you can transfer some of your credits for the remainder of the year, the tax office will assist you with the amounts when you ring. Or you can leave it until year end and request a P21 balancing statement in Jan 2014 which may provide a lump sum refund if you are due a refund and will also include any overpaid USC balancing.
This could be helpful in assisting with the costs of childcare as you go back to work. Best of luck!