Lodger (Rent a room scheme) affects Working Tax Credits?

[foxy_red]

Hi,

I have my own limited company and receive a small £5k salary from the business. I also receive Working Tax Credits.

I am now advertising for a lodger and know I can receive £4250 pa tax free under the rent a room scheme but can not find anywhere if this affects my Working Tax Credits.

Can anyone please advise?

Thank you

[robbob]

Hi foxy

Providing the amount you receive is less than 4250 then you can ignore this income - See TC600 notes page 26.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/forms/tc600-notes.pdf

I would GUESS if your income is above this level then you only declare the excess, if this is the case i would get this confirmed by the helpline.

Remember if you do take divis from your company then these need to declared too.

[Peter D]

Although the £4250 may be free of income tax it is still income so it may count against your tax credits. As robbob suggests, use the help line. Regards Peter

[foxy_red]

Many thanks guys. I didn't think the helpline would be open outside office hours but amazingly for a gov dept it's open 7 days a week, so I double checked & robbob is correct.

Anything over the £4250 counts as `other income'.

Thanks again for your fast, friendly & accurate answers :oD

Foxy x

[Peter D]

Did you ask them specifically with regard to Tax Credits. 'Other income' may be purely for income tax purposes. Regards Peter

[foxy_red]

Hi Peter, Yes, I rang the tax credits helpline & fully explained. The £4250 from the rent a room scheme does not affect WTC but anything above this amount is entered as `other income' which does then affect the overall award.

Many thanks for taking the time to help.

Foxy x

[Peter D]

Cool. Regards Peter

[wamstax]

Hi Foxy,
Did you get the name of the person providing the confirmation that the amount under £4250 did not affect WTC and the time and date of the call?
regards
bill@wamstaxltd.com