Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proof of self-employed earnings is required for child support cases; and whether he is satisfied with those requirements.

In the 1993 and 2003 schemes, self-employed earnings are usually taken from the self-assessment return that is submitted to HM Revenue and Customs, or from a tax calculation notice. This is consistent with the policy that, as for employed earners, the basis of the child maintenance liability is taxable earnings. If, at any stage, a parent with care believes that the Child Support Agency should make more enquiries it can be asked to do so, although some evidence about the matter they feel needs investigating is often required.

For self-employed paying parents in the 2012 Scheme, gross income is determined by reference to gross taxable profits for the latest available tax-year. As with the 2003 and 1993 schemes, there is scope for receiving parents to provide additional evidence if they feel further enquiries into a paying parents income are required to establish the correct liability in their case.