Hit with a high income child benefit charge penalty between 2013-16? You may get a refund

What is the high income child benefit charge?

The charge is a cost levied on people who get child benefit but also have a relatively high salary.

You may have to pay the HICBC if you have an individual income over £50,000 and either:

• You or your partner get child benefit.
  
  
• Someone else gets child benefit for a child living with you and they contribute at least an equal amount towards the child's upkeep.

The charge is collected through self-assessment and the pay as you earn (PAYE) system, so if you have to pay the charge you have to complete a tax return.

If you earn between £50,000 and £60,000, the charge will be less than the child benefit you receive, so you'll still be in pocket even if you have to pay the charge.

But if you earn over £60,000 you'll repay all the money. There is still a good reason to claim child benefit though, as it can help to protect your state pension and will make sure your child receives a national insurance number.

See full info on how the charge works on the Gov.uk website. You can use HMRC's child benefit tax calculator to work out if you have to pay.