A LETTER FROM

Dear Parent

I am writing to draw your attention to the new Children's Tax Credit which is due to be introduced in April this year. The introduction of the CTC represents a major change to the tax and benefits system in this country and I am very anxious that every family eligible to receive it applies as soon as possible.

The Children's Tax Credit replaces the old Married Couples Allowance and will be available to families (either married or unmarried couples or lone parents) with one or more children under 16 living with them for at least part of the tax year.

The Inland Revenue is now sending out application forms to all parents who pay tax through PAYE and have children under 16. If you have not received a claim form by the end of July and pay tax through PAYE then you should contact your local tax office.

If you pay tax through PAYE, then the Inland Revenue will adjust your tax code after the application form has been returned to them. This will mean that you will get up to £520 over the course of 2001/2, having less tax deducted by your employer each week or month. If you are self-employed, the tax relief should be claimed when tax returns are completed for the year beginning 6 April 2001.

For help in completing the claim form, or if you have any further questions, you can contact the Children's Tax Credit Helpline on 0845 300 10 36. If you want a leaflet on Children's Tax Credit then you can telephone the Inland Revenue Order line on 0845 9000 444.

If you have any other queries then please do not hesitate to contact my constituency office on 01189 546782.

Yours sincerely

Martin Salter - MP for Reading West