Tax Credits Project in Scotland

This project aims to contribute to a reduction in the number of families living in poverty by maximizing the potential income available to them through the tax credit system.

The objective of the project is to increase the capacity of front line agencies to provide accurate, high quality and effective advice and information on tax credits to eligible claimants, particularly lone parents and those on low incomes. This is being achieved by providing training, factsheets, a monthly tax credits e-bulletin and running an advice line.

The Scottish Government recently funded an independent evaluation of our Tax Credits Project. The evaluation found that our tax credits training, information and advice was rated very highly and has increased the capacity of user organisations, with overwhelming support for the continuation of the project. Thank you to everyone who participated in the survey.

Download the Evaluation Report of CPAG in Scotland’s Tax Credits Project (562 KB PDF file)

Training

We deliver a range of tax credits courses for those who are new to welfare benefits work and experienced advisers.

• Tax credits – the basics (12.11.08)
• Tax credits – an introduction (24.10.08)
• Tax credits – overpayments and challenging decisions (25.09.08), (13.01.09)
• Tax credits – calculating awards
• Tax credits – caselaw and tactics (15.01.09)

Fees and booking information
Booking form

Training for workers who do not specialise in welfare benefits

Tax credits – the essentials is a half-day course aimed at equipping frontline workers to help their clients get the most out of tax credits and avoid some of the common pitfalls.

We are offering this course in-house on a date and at a venue to suit you, such as your workplace. The fee for this course is the £150 in total, for up to 20 participants.

• For further information download the 'Tax credits – the essentials' training flyer (55 KB PDF file)

Tax credits factsheets

We have produced factsheets on a range of tax credit topics, concentrating particularly on problem areas. You can view and print all our factsheets below. Printed copies of our recent factsheets are also available on request – please email acarr@cpagscotland.org.uk with your details and which titles you would like.

•   1: Tax credits and childcare (updated April 2008)
•   2: Tax credits and complaints (updated April 2008)
•   3: Tax credits annual review (updated April 2008)
•   4: Tax credit checks (updated April 2008)
•   5: Claiming for children: changing to CTC from IS or JSA (updated March 2008)
•   6: Tax credits – the basics (updated April 2008)
•   7: Tax credits and self-employment (updated March 2008)
•   8: Tax credits – challenging decisions (updated April 2008)
• 10: Tax credits and judicial review (February 2006)
• 11: Tax credits – reporting changes of circumstances (updated April 2008)
• 12: Child tax credit for IS and JSA claimants (May 2007)
• 13: Tax credits: a passport to other help (updated April 2008)
• 14: Tax credits overpayments (updated April 2008)
• 15: Tax credits and penalties (September 2007)
• 16: Tax credits for disabled workers (April 2008)
• 17: Tax credits and foster carers (March 2008)
• 18: Tax credits and going back to work (April 2008)
• 19: Tax credits for term-time and seasonal workers (April 2008)

Tax credits e-bulletin

CPAG in Scotland's monthly tax credits e-bulletin keeps you up to date with tax credits news and developments.

You can read recent editions by following the links below, or sign up to the tax credits e-bulletin here. Please note, we will not pass your details to anyone outside CPAG, and you can unsubscribe from the e-bulletin at any time.

• CPAG in Scotland tax credits e-bulletin August 2008 (opens new page)
• CPAG in Scotland tax credits e-bulletin July 2008 (opens new page)
• CPAG in Scotland tax credits e-bulletin June 2008 (opens new page)
• CPAG in Scotland tax credits e-bulletin May 2008 (opens new page)
• CPAG in Scotland tax credits e-bulletin April 2008 (opens new page)
• CPAG in Scotland tax credits e-bulletin March 2008 (opens new page)
• CPAG in Scotland tax credits e-bulletin February 2008 (opens new page)
• CPAG in Scotland tax credits e-bulletin January 2008 (opens new page)
• CPAG in Scotland tax credits e-bulletin November 2007 (opens new page)
• CPAG in Scotland tax credits e-bulletin October 2007 (opens new page)
• CPAG in Scotland tax credits e-bulletin September 2007 (opens new page)
  
  
• Past tax credits e-bulletins

For further information on the Tax Credits Project please contact:

Maggie Kelly
tel: 0141 548 1054 mkelly@cpagscotland.org.uk
Mark Willis
tel: 0141 552 3722 mwillis@cpagscotland.org.uk

CPAG in Scotland, Unit 9, Ladywell, 94 Duke Street, Glasgow, G4 0UW. Tel: 0141 552 3303 staff@cpagscotland.org.uk

This project is funded by the Scottish Government.