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If you are expecting a baby, whether it is your first child or whether you already have another child, make sure you know how much you are entitled to from the new Child Tax Credit.  Nine out of ten families with children should be entitled to claim.

If your youngest child is under a year old, you will be eligible for extra money on top of the usual Child Tax Credit entitlement, plus you will still be able to claim for any older children. This money will be paid to the person in the family who mainly looks after the children, often the mother, rather than to the main earner of the family.

Chancellor Gordon Brown said at the launch of the new, more streamlined system:

“The Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit mark the biggest revolution to the tax and benefits system since Beveridge. They will modernise the existing systems, ensuring better support for children whether or not their parents are in work.”

The new tax credits represent an extra £2.7 billion a year for those who are working or bringing up children, and the government is committed to making sure that those who might benefit make their claims in time to receive the first payments in April 2003.

There are various ways to find out whether you are eligible:

To find out if you qualify:

• Visit www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/taxcredits or
• Call 0800 500 222 or
• Drop into your local Inland Revenue Enquiry Centre (listed under Inland Revenue in the telephone directory)