Inland revenue and tax....?

my boyfriend and his ex split in april 2006, they have a child together and since the split she has been claiming child tax credit and working tax credit. my boyfriend has recieved a letter stating he and his ex owe some money as they have been overpaid, but this money has nothing to do with my boyfriend, infact, he was unaware she was claiming any of these benefits from a %26#039;joint account%26#039; everything was supposed to have been dealt with when they split.... the letter states it was the tax year 2006 to 2007.

does he have to pay this money? he has called the tax office and they are syaing because his name is on the records he has to, they can pay half each but if she plays up and decides not to pay her half they will both go to court and that it dosnt matter if hes paid half or not.

if he does have to pay, is it because they split just after the tax year started? even still, he shouldnt have to because its been a full year.

any information would help. thanks

Inland revenue and tax....?

One thing that may help his case is if the money was paid into a bank account to which he has had no access since the split or ever. If it went into a joint account that he could still access, then it is unlikely the taxmen woudl believe him, though a full set of statements for the time in question, showing that he neither paid in nor withdrew funds might be helpful. I suppose there is no possibility of appealing to his former partner to say that she received all the money and he is not liable? There are some people out there with a conscience.

Inland revenue and tax....?

He should have written to the tax office advising them of the breakup when it happened, so that they could correct their records and make sure he was not liable for any errors subsequently. If he did not do this, he will probably be held liable, because as far as the tax office is concerned he is still receiving the benefits.