Talk:Working Tax Credit

My first effort to create an article, please be kind!
I tried to start by putting the information in correctly, logically and without an obvious 'point of view'. Please feel free to hack this about now as you see the fit. I've made my 'little bit of history'. I'm less sure how this article should be presented for best effect. That's where your judgements can also come into play.

But it's 4 in the morning and I can't do any more now!

[I shall be looking in later to see how many amendments you have made. Exciting isn't it!]

—The preceding unsigned comment was added by Paul White (talk • contribs) 05:10, 31 December 2005 (UTC)

Faulty forms
There's one important aspect of Working Family Tax Credits in the UK that I haven't seen mentioned anywhere: the form always has been and still is faulty, trapping families on low incomes with sky-high repayment charges.

If you have a form handy, you will see that it still asks what the parents have earned in the course of the previous tax year. Typically (as was the case for us) parents apply shortly after starting a job/jobs, often after secondary or tertiary education. As a result, the income in the tax year will often be only three months' worth of pay. The problem is that the form does not allow the parents to say this. Instead, the authorities assume that the figure given represents the expected annual income and proceeds to offer huge sums of money. As all forms have been filled in correctly, few will be inclined to challenge the offer letters when they arrive (why they go out to both parents at the same time I don't know).

One year on parents find they have been overpaid by a considerable sum. Radio 4's Money Box has discussed WFTCs often and with much helpful advice, but it is always assumed that the persons filling in the forms are at fault.

Please does anyone know how the form can be challenged and corrected? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Geralds (talk • contribs) 16:19, 7 May 2007 (UTC).

Criticism and Confusion
I've added sections on the implementation problems, and on criticisms of the scheme. I'm not sure that the confusing article tag is particularly necessary now... I have a feeling that the article is about as clear as it can be on such a confusing topic! Saluton (talk) 00:44, 7 August 2008 (UTC)

I am just a regular guy without financial or accounting acumen, and I still don't understand what a tax credit is from reading this article. Examples, that relate to the real world of readers, would have ben helpful. Good luck. GW. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.63.72.22 (talk) 17:36, 7 October 2008 (UTC)

Inaccurate information
The article refers to the second threshold for child tax credit. This no longer exists and benefits are now tapered faster. Effective cut off for a family with one child, is now approx. £28000, with two children £32000. The article needs updating to reflect these changes. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.45.44.74 (talk) 00:26, 25 August 2013 (UTC)

Assessment comment
Substituted at 10:53, 30 April 2016 (UTC)