UK Child Benefit Calculator
Calculate your Child Benefit entitlement and High Income Child Benefit Charge. See your net benefit and discover strategies to avoid HICBC.
UK Child Benefit Calculator
Calculate Child Benefit and High Income Child Benefit Charge
HICBC applies to the higher earner in the household
Net Annual Benefit
£2,212.6
No tax charge applies
Weekly Benefit
£42.55
Annual Benefit (Gross)
£2,212.6
Should You Claim?
Yes, claim Child Benefit. Even with HICBC, you'll receive £2,212.6 per year. Plus, claiming protects National Insurance credits for the parent at home (important for State Pension).
2024/25 HICBC Thresholds
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your number of children – Use the +/- buttons to set how many qualifying children you have.
- Enter your annual income – Your gross salary before tax. This determines if HICBC applies.
- Add partner's income (optional) – If your partner earns more than you, HICBC is based on their income instead.
- Review your results – See your gross benefit, any HICBC charge, and your net benefit after tax.
Understanding Your Results
The calculator shows your net annual benefit after any HICBC tax charge. The color indicates your status: green means no charge, amber means partial clawback, and red means full clawback.
If you're affected by HICBC, you'll see the tax charge rate and the actual amount you'll need to pay back through Self Assessment. The breakdown shows exactly how much benefit you'll keep.
Look for the Pension Sacrifice Strategy box – this shows how much you'd need to contribute to your pension to bring your income below £60,000 and avoid HICBC entirely. This is often the most tax-efficient approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Child Benefit in the UK?
Child Benefit is a tax-free payment from the government to help with the costs of raising children. For 2024/25, you receive £25.60 per week for your eldest child and £16.95 per week for each additional child. You can claim for each child under 16, or under 20 if they're in approved education or training.
What is the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC)?
HICBC is a tax charge that claws back Child Benefit when you or your partner earns over £60,000 per year. You lose 1% of your Child Benefit for every £200 of income above £60,000. At £80,000, the entire benefit is clawed back. The charge applies to the higher earner in the household, regardless of who claims the benefit.
Should I claim Child Benefit if I earn over £60,000?
In most cases, yes. Even if your income means you'll pay HICBC, you should still claim Child Benefit. This is because: (1) The claim protects National Insurance credits for the non-working parent, which counts towards their State Pension. (2) You can opt out of receiving payments but keep the NI credit protection. (3) If your income drops, you'll automatically receive the payments again.
How can I avoid the High Income Child Benefit Charge?
The most effective strategy is salary sacrifice into your pension. By contributing enough to bring your adjusted net income below £60,000, you can keep your full Child Benefit while also gaining tax relief on pension contributions. For example, if you earn £70,000, sacrificing £10,000 into your pension avoids HICBC entirely and gives you substantial pension growth.
What income counts towards HICBC?
HICBC uses your 'adjusted net income' which includes: salary, bonuses, taxable benefits, rental income, dividend income, and other taxable income. You can reduce this by: pension contributions (including salary sacrifice), gift aid donations, and trading losses. Salary sacrifice is the most powerful tool as it reduces income before tax.
When do I need to pay HICBC?
If you're liable for HICBC, you must register for Self Assessment and pay the charge through your tax return. The charge is calculated on your income for the tax year. If you don't already file a Self Assessment return, you must register by 5 October following the tax year in which you first become liable.
What are the 2024/25 Child Benefit rates?
For the 2024/25 tax year: £25.60 per week for your eldest or only child (£1,331.20 per year), and £16.95 per week for each additional child (£881.40 per year). Child Benefit is paid every 4 weeks, though single parents can request weekly payments.
Does my partner's income affect my Child Benefit?
Yes, HICBC applies to the higher earner in the household. Even if you're the one claiming Child Benefit with a low income, if your partner earns over £60,000, they are liable for HICBC. The charge is always calculated on the higher earner's income, regardless of who claims.
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