Do hours spent studying count as hours worked for tax credits?

**Katiekoo** · 10-06-2011, 03:29 PM

Do hours spent studying count as hours worked for tax credits?
I'm trying to work out my hours for tax credits people, can I include these hours?

Additional hours includes time spent on;
Training courses that tend to be in evenings and on Saturdays,
Coursework for my qualification,

Risk assessing my home before children arrive (15 mins per work day),

Clearing the play areas after they leave (30 mins per work day),

Paperwork including accounts, registers, planning, written risk assessments, writing newsletters and invoices, children's individual learning journey folder (30 mins per day),

Shopping for Childminding supplies, such equipment, snacks, wipes and provisions. (30 mins per weekend day)

Edited to say - course is cypw

**kindredspirits** · 10-06-2011, 04:03 PM

no i am fairly certain they mean just the hours you have children in your home.

**miffy** · 10-06-2011, 04:08 PM

You could always ring the helpline and ask but I think Kindred is correct.

http://search2.hmrc.gov.uk/kbroker/h...a=34&tx0=60&fl

Miffy xx

**Katiekoo** · 10-06-2011, 04:51 PM

When training to become a childminder they said the hours I studied and prepared to childmind counted before I was even qualified or earning, so I thought this would make sense to claim these hours, I'll call them!

**miffy** · 10-06-2011, 05:06 PM

That's interesting - let us know what tax credits say

Miffy xx

**Louise0208** · 10-06-2011, 05:33 PM

on my ICP last year we were told our total working hours also included setting up, clearing up & paperwork (all when children are not here)

though.....i got told a lot of stuff on my ICP that i have since found out not to be true!

**ChocolateChip** · 10-06-2011, 05:51 PM

I thought that for tax credit purposes you could count working hours both with or without children present as it is still work.

But for expenses purposes when working out your allowance on household bills it is purely minding hours.

**charlie potato** · 10-06-2011, 11:36 PM

Originally Posted by ChocolateChip

I thought that for tax credit purposes you could count working hours both with or without children present as it is still work.

But for expenses purposes when working out your allowance on household bills it is purely minding hours.

Thats how i've understood it and have been told by tax credits. xx

**Katiekoo** · 20-06-2011, 01:45 PM

Yes! Tax credits have confirmed that as a self employed person they take into consideration all the hours that you work, including anything you feel is for your work. So training, paperwork, cleaning after work etc. That's good

**leopardlady** · 10-05-2012, 02:22 PM

This thread is a great help, as I have no mindees at the moment but am training (cypw level 3 diploma) and doing loads of advertising and canvassing, and a workshop per week. I also attend a local childminders meeting every week. All of this is for my business as I wouldn't be doing it otherwise. As I am disabled I need to do 16 hrs a week but I am actually doing more, so it appears I am ok to keep claiming my tax credits.

**The Juggler** · 10-05-2012, 03:47 PM

if the training is linked to your job then you are working. I know you can't claim allowances for it (for gas/electric etc) as you have no children but I would ring tax credits to be sure.

BTW don't forget to claim back study expenses through your tax return - paper, books, college parking, food at college,babysitters

**Trpta108** · 10-05-2012, 04:53 PM

I asked tax credit this last year and was told only the hours I get paid for counts. When I first started I only had 14 hours paid and was told I could not claim tax credits(I did explain that I spent at least 16 hours working including cleaning, paperwork etc.). So I wonder if things have changed since or we are just getting mixed answers and which one is right?