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Hi all, I received a letter from the CSA on Monday as my daughters mother had filed for an application (with out telling me). The amount the CSA has quoted me is crazy, and although I am happy to contribute more to my child there is no way the amount quoted is needed to sustain the costs of one child (6 year old). I am in a role where I get commission quarterly as well as a basic salary and this goes up and down based on performance and the market conditions. This year I have been told my earnings will likely drop and I have seen this in my latest commission already.
I have several questions:
Firstly, I have seen that paying more into my pension is a good idea, however, I have seen this can be challenged depending on the amount you contribute and your age and earnings. I am 26 and have been contributing since I started working at 19 removed link How much is reasonable to put in? Will it only get flagged if my daughters mum notices and appeals it or will the CSA do it themselves? And more so, I only have a week left to respond with evidence and I haven't yet upped my pension - so can this even be used as evidence OR if it can, when and how?
Secondly, I have been advised to send them a payslip to evidence less earnings, but in my most recent payslip it includes my commission. Do I share my month previous which only highlights my basic salary? Or do I share the past three months to avoid the inevitable which is they ask for further payslip? If I only share one payslip and they ask for future evidence, could this buy me more time to then share my next payslip for feb which will show my basic salary AND my increased pension contribution?
Lastly, because I want the best chance and providing as much supporting evidence as possible I have delayed responding straight away, however they are now chasing me for a response just over a week since receiving their letter. Am I shooting myself in the foot by not responding quicker, or will they take the same amount of time to evaluate the case as they would have if I had responded straight away?
I had heard that they only consider changing it if earnings are reduced by 25% which I believe with my change of commission alone it will be touch and go, however with the pension contribution I think this will really bolster my chances. Any advice on how to best navigate this?
Any advice on some or all of the above would be a MASSIVE help
hi, you should respond to CMS in good time. if they don't hear from you, they will consider it non compliance and attach 20% collection charges to your payments.
you can send them last 3 months of payslips. excessive pension contributions may get flagged and will be problem for you.
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