HM Revenue and Customs Give Scottish Parents a Warning

Parents across Scotland have been warned that child benefit and child tax credits will stop if they don't tell the taxman of their child's educational status by the end of this month.

HM Revenue and Customs says that parents must let them know by August 31 if any of their children aged 16 or above are continuing in full-time education or are undertaking an apprenticeship.

Alternatively, if a young person leaves education or training - for example to start full-time work, or because their course has ended - claimants must report this change straight away to prevent the build-up of overpayments, which they will have to pay back.

Angela MacDonald, Director General of Customer Services, said: “Congratulations to students getting their results. Once parents or guardians know what their child has decided to do it’s really important they let us know as soon as possible, so they continue to get the right benefits and credits."

Parents can use the Personal Tax Account (PTA) service online to update both their Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit information online in a few minutes. The PTA service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

To access your PTA for the first time on a PC, tablet or smartphone, you'll need your national insurance number, a recent payslip or P60, and a phone to receive a security access code.

To get started go to gov.uk/personal-tax-account and click ‘start now’.