HMRC’s online service to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) through Pay As You Earn (PAYE) is now live. The service was announced at the Spring Statement 2025 and aims to reduce the need for some taxpayers to complete self assessment solely to settle the charge.
HICBC applies where the claimant or their partner has adjusted net income above the threshold. From the 2024/25 tax year, the threshold is £60,000, with child benefit fully withdrawn at £80,000. The clawback is 1% of the benefit for every £200 of income over £60,000.
Previously, HICBC payers reported the charge via self assessment, with limited coding-out through PAYE for amounts under £2,000. Under the new approach, PAYE taxpayers who only file a return to pay HICBC can opt out of self assessment and pay via PAYE instead. To use the service, individuals must first de-register from self assessment; access should be available the following day.
HMRC plans to write to around 100,000 people who appear liable but are not in self assessment. In 2022/23, about 440,000 individuals were liable to HICBC. HMRC notes there is a risk of two HICBC amounts appearing in one year’s PAYE code where liabilities span 2024/25 and 2025/26, depending on timing.
Households can also opt out of receiving child benefit payments. Registration can still be beneficial as it provides National Insurance credits for a non-working parent and triggers a child’s NI number before age 16.
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