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You don't work but have children: entitlement tables

There are tables that can give you a rough idea of how much tax credits you can get if you have children and you (and your partner, if you have one) don't work. You will still need to meet the normal qualifying rules, like being responsible for a child.

On this page:

You have children aged one or over

The amounts shown are the actual amount of tax credits you could get for the year.

Annual income (£) One child Two children Three children
0 2,780 5,020 7,255
5,000 2,780 5,020 7,255
8,000 2,780 5,020 7,255
10,000 2,780 5,020 7,255
15,000 2,780 5,020 7,255
20,000 1,240 3,475 5,715
25,000 545 1,525 3,765
30,000 545 545 1,815
35,000 545 545 545
40,000 545 545 545
45,000 545 545 545
50,000 545 545 545
55,000 210 210 210
60,000 - - -

You have a child under the age of one

The amounts shown are the actual amount of tax credits you could get for the year.

Annual income (£) One child (under 1 year of age) Two children (one under 1 year of age) Three children (one under 1 year of age)
0 3,330 5,565 7,805
5,000 3,330 5,565 7,805
8,000 3,330 5,565 7,805
10,000 3,330 5,565 7,805
15,000 3,330 5,565 7,805
20,000 1,785 4,025 6,260
25,000 1,095 2,075 4,310
30,000 1,095 1,095 2,360
35,000 1,095 1,095 1,095
40,000 1,095 1,095 1,095
45,000 1,095 1,095 1,095
50,000 1,095 1,095 1,095
55,000 760 760 760
60,000 425 425 425
65,000 95 95 95
70,000 - - -

Who should use these tables?

You can use these tables if you have children and one of the following applies:

  • you are single and don't work
  • you have a partner and neither of you work

If you're not sure whether you're using the right tables you can check by following the link below.

Entitlement tables for tax credits: getting started

How to use these tables

  • Find the table that applies to you - the headings will help you choose.
  • Look for the annual income level in the first column that is nearest to your own total income for the last tax year - this includes income from work, some state benefits such as contributions-based Jobseeker's Allowance and savings over £300. A tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April. If your income for this tax year is likely to be lower than last year's, use this year's income instead.
  • Find the heading in the column that applies to you.
  • Where the row and column meet that is the typical amount of tax credits award for those circumstances.

You should use the information in the tables as a guide only. If you want to get a better idea of how much you might be entitled to you can use a more detailed online tax credits questionnaire. It should take about 10-15 minutes to fill in.

How to work out your income for tax credits

Tax credits questionnaire - find out how much you can get

More useful links

More about qualifying for tax credits if you have children

How to claim tax credits

How your tax credits entitlement is worked out

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