TL;DR — Key Changes
- • The charge now starts at £60,000 Adjusted Net Income (was £50,000)
- • It is fully repaid at £80,000 (was £60,000)
- • Families earning between £50,000–£60,000 now keep their full Child Benefit
- • The 60% “child benefit trap” zone has shifted up — but still exists
What Changed and When
The High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) was introduced in January 2013 and immediately created a controversial “cliff edge” at £50,000. Above that income, 1% of the Child Benefit received had to be repaid for every £100 earned over the threshold — creating an effective tax rate far above 40% for families in that range.
In the March 2024 Spring Budget, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced that from 6 April 2024, the charge threshold would rise to £60,000, with full repayment at £80,000. These figures are based on Adjusted Net Income — your gross income minus pension contributions, Gift Aid donations, and other qualifying deductions.
| Rule | Before April 2024 | From April 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Charge starts | £50,000 | £60,000 |
| Fully repaid | £60,000 | £80,000 |
| Taper range | £10,000 | £20,000 |
| Charge rate | 1% per £100 | 1% per £200 |
Who Benefits From This Change?
The biggest winners are families where the highest earner has an Adjusted Net Income between £50,000 and £60,000. Previously, these families faced the charge and had to either repay Child Benefit through Self Assessment or opt out of receiving it. From April 2024, they keep the full amount with no charge at all.
Example — Family with 2 Children, higher earner on £55,000
Before April 2024
Child Benefit received: ~£2,212/year
HICBC owed: ~£1,106/year (50% taper)
Net benefit: ~£1,106/year
From April 2024
Child Benefit received: ~£2,212/year
HICBC owed: £0
Net benefit: ~£2,212/year ✓
Who Is Still Affected?
Families where the higher earner exceeds £60,000 Adjusted Net Income are still subject to the charge. The taper now runs from £60,000 to £80,000 — half the charge rate (1% per £200, rather than 1% per £100), but the same cliff effect still exists.
Crucially, the 60% effective marginal rate zone (created by the overlap of the Personal Allowance taper and HICBC) can still exist for earners between £100,000 and £125,140 who also receive Child Benefit. Use our Tax Calculator to model your exact position.
Still affected? The most effective way to reduce your HICBC is to reduce your Adjusted Net Income below £60,000 through pension contributions or Gift Aid donations. Read our complete HICBC guide for strategies.
About This Article
Written by the Tax Trap Calculator editorial team · Published June 2024 · Updated February 2026. HICBC thresholds sourced from HMRC's official Child Benefit guidance. This article is for informational purposes only.