The High Income Child Benefit Charge

If you or your partner get Child Benefit and either of you has adjusted net income over £60,000, the one with the higher income pays some or all of it back as the High Income Child Benefit Charge.

How much

The charge is 1% of the Child Benefit for every £200 of adjusted net income over £60,000. At £80,000 or more it's 100%, so all of it is repaid. It's based on the higher earner's income alone, not on the household's.

Why you should still claim

Claiming Child Benefit gives a parent who isn't working National Insurance credits towards their State Pension, and gets your child a National Insurance number automatically. You can claim and then choose not to receive the payments, so there's no charge to pay.

Pensions and the charge

Pension contributions lower adjusted net income, so they reduce the charge as well. Between £60,000 and £80,000 that can add a large saving on top of income tax relief, especially with several children. Hundred Line includes the charge in its household figures.

Sources

• High Income Child Benefit Charge (GOV.UK)
• Child Benefit: what you’ll get (GOV.UK)

Checked 31 October 2026 for England. This guide is general information, not financial advice.