HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has reminded UK households to follow an 8am to 9am calling rule when reaching out to their helpline. This guidance comes in response to enquiries related to the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC).
The HICBC applies if you or your partner have claimed Child Benefit and earn above certain income thresholds. For the current tax year, the charge starts if either individual’s income exceeds £60,000 annually.
For every £200 earned above this £60,000 threshold, you must repay 1% of your Child Benefit claim. This means the full amount must be repaid once the income reaches £80,000 or more.
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Currently, Child Benefit amounts to £26.05 per week for your eldest or only child and £17.25 per week for each additional child.
For example, if you have two children and are required to repay the full charge, this totals just over £2,250 annually.
Repayments can be made through PAYE by adjusting your tax code or via self-assessment, depending on your circumstances.
One individual shared that they encountered issues attempting to repay through PAYE, receiving an error message.
In response, HMRC advised via X (formerly Twitter) to call their helpline directly for assistance.
However, the customer reported waiting nearly an hour on the phone without success. HMRC clarified that their helpline operates from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, and is typically less busy between 8am and 9am — making this the best time to call.