Is this right or not?

LegacyUser

The mother has two smaller boys who live with her, ages 12 and 8. Long story short the father of these kids was a waste of space and is long out of the scene. So a few years ago she met a nice man and got married, he also had a son 20s and he moved in to my mothers. Anyway with the recession he lost his job and so on, and things arent going to well for him. So when he went to claim the dole he was told he couldnt as he was married to my mother and they got separated so he could claim. Now don't know the full story but anyway she said because she was still legally married, she lost out on single parent tax credits or benifit, not sure what one exactly, but she said he said she could use his tax credits as he was no longer working......
In the meantime he is trying to get a business going. Apart from the current climate I can't see this going any where. Seems to be throwing more good money after bad. Now it wasnt so bad at first but lately its slipping, she pays for everything, bills, food etc etc. And I am starting to get a pain with it. 6 months or so ok, but this is close to 2 years now.
So anyway the big point, two letters from revenue arrive in and the mother got a tax refund of about 4000e. He got a letter notifying him of this as they are married and shes using his tax credits, so as soon as she came in from work he had it under her nose open it open it.....and then says because your using my tax credits we go halves? Now Im thinking hang on....you're not working, your tax credits arent worth anything to you anyway, you give almost nothing, my mother lost the child benifit/tax credits because shes married to you and you are demanding half of this like its yours?
There are things need doing in the house like, repairs on roof etc, but he sees this as his personal spending money. Am I mad in thinking he is out of order???

To put in in perspective, if it was a payment of 4000 euro due in tax arrears would he be as quick to go halves???? Opinions. Thanks.

Nevyn

If the children are under 18 or under 23 and in full time education she will still get child benefit, if he is not living in the family home she is entitled to lone parents allowance and lone parents tax credit.

If he's livng there then tbh it's up to them as a couple and as parent to decide what to do with the money.

jellyboy

Hi op..

im going to be blunt here..

Keep your nose out of it......it has nothing to do with you,its there realship and not yours..

your mother is old enough to make her own descions..as hard as it might be to watch people be hurt ,in pain..to stand back is empowering

LegacyUser

Jelly boy i think that is a rather ignorant reply, I would have put this up if she hadnt spoke to me. And b) when there are children involved I wouldnt care if I was being nosy anyway.

He is living there, my question is this though, his tax credits are not worth anything to him if hes not working....so he gave them to her. How can he then demand half of the money she was refunded in tax? If it was a deb owed would he be as quick to jump in.

I think it was single parent tax credits she lost, not exactly sure of all the jargon but anyway he gave her his tax credits as they were no use to him to make up on what she was losing and now he wants half of the money she was refunded. Which even still wouldn't be fair as she would be taxed the lower rate on a certain amount and then higher rate kicks in etc, I think its downright wrong.

tenchi-fan

He didn't EARN any money so he's not entitled to anything. It's even worse that he sees it as his own spending money especially as she has been paying his way.

It would be fair to spend the money on a renovation to the house, or even better to invest it in a college fund for the 8 and 12 year olds. If the couple are in debt they should use the money to clear the loan. I'm basically saying spend the money on the reason why couples are allowed to pool their tax credits in the first place. They're a couple with a family and a house and it is just so f****** pathetic that this man is even considering grabbing the €2000 when he hasn't contributed a thing.

She should call it as she see about the business.. there's no point throwing good money after bad. It's just too risky, once again especially for some one with 2 young kids! There probably aren't any grants going.. Rent, Rates, Legal, insurance, accounting and business banking fees are higher than ever and banks aren't giving finance and when they do they want a family home a security on the loan... have you seen how Joe in coronation street is getting on?

I don't mean to sound like a heartless b****** as this guy obviously has some issues. I certainly don't envy him. But if all he can contribute is 50% of a few lousy tax credits that are worthless to him, whilst not being able to pull his own weight, and at the same time causing her to lose out on benefits..... I just have to ask does she really need him to be a part of her family?

LegacyUser

Yes thanks, I thought the same so I am not going mad. Just couldn't think of anything else to compare it to.