No HICBC reform: a closer look

Background

The high-income child benefit charge (HICBC) has been controversial since its introduction. For one thing, it is assessed on the higher earner, irrespective of whether they are the claimant. This has led to a number of instances where couples who don’t necessarily share financial information between them have been hit with unexpected bills and (in some cases penalties). HICBC has also been criticised for unfairly punishing single-income claimants because it only takes into account the higher earner’s income, not total household income.

Example. For 2024/25, A and B claimed child benefit of just over £2,300. B is currently on extended leave and did not work during the year. A is working full time and, with their annual bonus, have exceeded £80,000. HICBC will apply and clawback the £2,300 in full. C and D also claimed the same amount of benefit. However, both worked during 2024/25 earning just under £60,000 each. There will be no clawback, even though as a household their income is £40,000 higher than A and B.

Reform

The previous government acknowledged this problem, and announced that it would consult on how to reform the HICBC rules to base it on household income.

This plan has now been scrapped by the incoming government. Advise clients to review income sharing arrangements, e.g. rental income, savings, profit extraction, to preserve entitlement.

Instead, the government is focusing on improving collection of the charge. Employees subject to the charge will be able to pay it via a PAYE code adjustment instead of needing to complete a tax return from 2025/26. This will remove the risk of failure to notify and late filing penalties being applied for some claimants.