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I have recently been sent a payment schedule for CM payments. The weekly figure they have used is way beyond my budget, nearly £50 per week. I have spoken to them about this and have put in an appeal in place. I am self employed for the last 6 months and did give them a forecasted profit figure for the year but they obviously took no notice of this and have instead used an industry average annual figure. Furthermore, they have said I must that I must continue paying the weekly amounts to the receiving parent (which I cannot afford) whilst the appeal is in place to provide further proof of my income ie letter from accountant etc.
My question is this, do I do nothing whilst I send off proof of my income and wait on the outcome of the appeal and hope for a substantial reduction in payments? Can they take any enforcement action against me whilst the appeal is in place?
Any help/ advice appreciated in advance.
Unfortunately, they can take enforcement action, though it does take time and it might not succeed. It would be worth listing out your essential outgoings and your income, with as much proof as possible and see if you can get them to agree to a lesser amount until the appeal happens.
...it might also help to go and see your MP, they can sometimes intervene.
Good luck
Hi Raj2016,
The CMS are a joke, sadly as you said you have been self employed for only 6 months they have probably worked out your payments on your earnings for the last tax year (2015 - 2016). The problem is if you do pay the £50 a week and it turns out its too much, you wont get that money back, which is ridiculous! Looks like you are stuck between a rock and a hard place. In theory they should review the application if you can prove that your earnings are 25% less than the calculation they are using, but im not sure how you can do that being self employed. I am guessing though that you could set yourself up as an "employee" of your business and only pay yourself the minimum wage, then you can also pay yourself in dividends which wouldnt be classed as an income.
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