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Could someone please explain a few things to me.
Why is child maintenance calculated BEFORE tax? being taxed @22% + the 15% CMS take for one child pushes people towards the super tax bracket! Because of this absurd way of calculating maintenance, my wage has dropped below a liveable wage. Why can't maintenance be taken after tax or as 'salary sacrifice' like parents can do with childcare vouchers making things financially easier for NRP. Another thing I don't understand, why do you not take the outgoings of the NRP into account? I have the same outgoings as my ex, I am trying to make a beautiful home for my child too but have my hands tied due to the unfair way of calculating maintenance. 15% is fine, but why not 15% of what is left after tax and general living expenses ie mortgatge/rent, utilities, pensions etc etc? I know fine well it does not cost over £6000 a year to provide for my daughter as I also provide for her in our home, the only difference is she doesn't stay at my house as many nights through year, seriously, how much does it cost you when you're sleeping!!!!!!! PLEASE DON'T POST A LINK TO 'HOW MAINTENACE IS CALCULATED', I know how its calculated, ive read every book/pamphlet you send WITH EACH LETTER, I want to know WHY its calculated this way.
Why is it so hard to communicate with CMS, passwords, pass codes, first pets name, favourite teacher, colour of you doctors socks!!!! its ridiculous, you phone us and have the cheek to say if I don't answer all your security questions then you can't have a conversation with me....YOU PHONED MEYOU KNOW WHO I AM. And why oh why don't you have email communication?
I could go on forever on this subject but I wont but I would like to add, we aren't all the same as the NRP who don't pay child maintenance so please don't treat us as such!
Hi there
Unfortunately I can't answer your questions, we're just a support forum, we're not affiliated to the CMS in any way, we don't make the rules, and like you, we just have to abide by them unfortunately!
I'm assuming you must be on the new scheme as the calculations are made on your gross income, just one thing to mention, the calculation should be 12% of gross income for one child.
They do make reductions if you pay into a pension, or if you have your child overnight; they also make a reduction for travelling expenses for contact, although this isn't much.
The NRP (non resident parent) is you, your ex is the resident parent (RP). I also don't understand why both parents income isn't factored in, it would be fairer, but that's just my personal opinion.
I'm currently experiencing this new system as I try to set up a new case (or rather my ex tries to set up a new case) after 10 years with the CSA. The initial monthly charge they tried to impose on me worked out at nearly 20% of my gross monthly income which almost knocked me over.
I supplied all my latest payslips and a letter off HR confirming my Gross salary but still I've had to appeal. On closer scrutiny I've discovered that the calculation was made without subtracting my pension contributions and a figure that is on my P60 for Benefit in kind purposes (not cash I receive)...
My advice would be this.. sit down and detail the payments as you see them. Calculate it yourself using what you believe to be the right figures and challenge them. The difference between 12 or 16% of you gross on the new system shouldn't be much greater than 15 to 20% of your NETT on the old system. If it is, the maths has fallen down somewhere.
My biggest gripe is the 25% threshold... it means a man who say earns 40k a year, who loses his job but gets another job earning anything above 30k, will be paying the same amount he was paying when he earned 40k ... It's a ridiculous rule and one that means they have to get your payments right from the word go or you'll be stuck with it for a long time.
Like most non resident parents, I don't have an issue supporting my kids but the system should be fairer than it is and should consider a lot more than numbers on a payslip.
Good luck
Also it's worth noting that when moving onto the new system, if you have never been late with payments, you should be able to go straight onto direct pay, instead of the collect and pay service....most definitely insist on this.
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