Rent tax credits

[awec]

Hello all,

Need a little clarificaiton with this if anyone has done it before.

I live with 3 other guys and together we pay the rent on our property. We each pay around a quarter of the total rent price of the property.

We are eligible for rent tax credits. However, when filling in the form and it asks how much rent is payable, do I enter the total that I have paid or the total paid altogether?

We were told to apply seperately but I'm unsure what to put into this field.

Cheers

[dahamsta]

The amount you paid awec.

[awec]

Hmm, and the tax year here runs Jan -> Dec right?

[Mr A]

Yep..

[awec]

Whenever I put my details int he Gross thing that comes up is a lot of money, WAY more than I expected. Is this normal??!

[tetsujin1979]

one other thing to keep in mind is to clear it with your landlord first.
If he's a registered landlord, and you are all registered as tenants, then everything should go smoothly. IIRC, he also has to provide you with his PPS number.
If he's not registered, he can be prosecuted for income tax evasion.

You can also wait until the end of the tax year and claim the tax credits back as a lump sum, which is what I do.

[awec]

We let through a Letting Agency who has provided us with our landlords details (PPS number specifically).

We're moving back up North at the end of June and therefore we probably should be claiming now.

When I put the claim in online, does it take long for the funds to come?

[tetsujin1979]

that should be fine so, think it takes about 6 weeks to process the request, depending on the time of year you submit it.

[elroy]

Dont forget to claim for prior years as well if applicable, works out at around 300 quid in your hand a year so def worth it.

[dahamsta]

Up to 4 years.

[awec]

Only moved down last June, so thats 2 financial years to apply for.

[elroy]

Awec if you are moving back to the north permanently, would be worth your while claiming split year residence relief as well for 2010. Basically means that you will be treated as ROI tax resident, in respect of your employment income only, upto the date of your departure, rather than the end of the tax year. Key thing is though that you still get full tax credits for the year, therefore if you are a PAYE worker, you should be entitled to a refund of taxes overpaid this year.

[seand]

Any questions like this its well worth going to askaboutmoney.com

[dahamsta]

He's right, although to be fair, the question was answered.