Separated Mother

Hi,

Soon to be divorced, independantly separated parent of 3 primary school kids, working full time and was claiming one parent allowance. When my new partner moved in (he is unemployed) we declared it to his social welfare and were means tested on my wages. I've now been taken off the One Parent allowance, and I am being taxed as a single person with no other tax credits.

The form says I can't claim one parent credit if we are 'living together as man and wife', but I can't claim his tax credits as a married couple or civil partnership as we aren't officially registered?

Is there anything else I can do?

Thanks

I am also paying a mortgage, and have just started receiving a weekly maintenance payment after 6 years, but it is not court ordered or legally binding yet.

The kids dental and optician is all private.

Your SW and tax position are separate. You are now a single person from a tax perspective and unless you remarry or enter a legal civil partnership, you cannot claim the unused allowance of your new partner.

I understand that. But does that mean that I still count as a single parent for tax purposes unless I remarry or enter a legal civil partnership?

Thanks

You are now treated as a couple for SW purposes.(He is means tested on your income)

You are treated as a single person for taxation purposes. (You cannot claim the married tax credits) You cannot claim the single parent tax credit because you live together as a married couple

Sounds crazy I know but I didn't invent the rules unfortunately