I’VE LOST MY GIFT VOUCHER - CAN I GET A REPLACEMENT?

QI received a gift voucher for Christmas – but I seem to have lost it over the festive period. Can I still use it somehow?

AIf you lose a gift voucher, the shop doesn’t have to replace it – it’s just like losing cash. ‘Always try to keep the voucher somewhere safe,’ advises the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

However, it says if the voucher was made out to you specifically and is not transferable to another person, the shop may be able to give you a new one and cancel the original.

Hopefully, this is the case – although it very well may not be. Whoever gave you the voucher might still have the receipt as proof of purchase. If not, a credit or debit card statement showing the transaction may suffice.

QI have a gift voucher from Avoca from last Christmas. Can I still use it?

AExpiry dates vary widely. With some retailers it’s six months – with others it could be 12 months, three years or five years. Some have no expiry dates. You’re in luck because Avoca is one of those helpful retailers who issue gift vouchers with no expiry dates.

A list of leading retailers and their gift voucher expiration dates can be found on the website consumerhelp.ie

QI received a home carer credit in 2016. My income is going up next year beyond the €9,000 limit. But I heard I can still qualify? Is this true?

AIf the home carer’s income exceeds €9,200 in the next tax year, the tax credit will still be due for the year, provided that:

The other qualifying conditions for the tax credit are met and

The tax credit was granted for the previous tax year. The amount of the tax credit is restricted to the amount granted for the previous tax year.

QI heard recently how few people claim the home carer tax credit. I am a stay-at-home parent and also earn around €4,000 a year from part-time work. My husband earns €40,000. Are we entitled to the credit? Can we claim this as well as the increased standard rate band allowance for married couples? And, if so, how do we make a claim?

ATo qualify for the full tax credit the home carer’s income must not exceed €7,200 in the tax year. (€5,080 for years up to and including 2015. Where the home carer’s income is between €7,200 and €9,200, the tax credit is reduced). So, yes, you should be eligible. However, you can’t claim both the increased standard rate band for dualincome couples and the home carer’s credit. You have to decide which is best for you. And this may depend on your partner’s income.

As you can see from the calculations – panel to the right – you’d save €860 with the home carer’s credit instead of the increased standard rate band.

But how do you claim it?