21/03/2024
How to Reduce the Child Benefit Charge?
The answer is simple: make pension contributions! This is the easiest way for almost everyone to reduce the child benefit charge. For example, if you have an income of £60,000 in 2023/24 and your spouse earns £30,000 and receives child benefit for two children, you can invest £4,000 in your pension.
The taxman will add an extra £1,000 to your pension pot, resulting in a gross pension contribution of £5,000.
By submitting your tax return, you will receive an extra £1,000 of higher-rate tax relief. The £5,000 gross pension contribution will also result in your adjusted net income falling from £60,000 to £55,000. This means your family will now hold onto £1,038 of child benefit instead of nothing. For a more detailed discussion of the pension contribution rules, please contact us.