High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) is a tax charge in the UK that applies to families who receive child benefit and have an individual earning over a certain threshold. The charge is designed to ensure that child benefit is not paid to families who have a higher income and can afford to support their children without it.

The HICBC applies when one individual in a household earns over £50,000 per year. If this is the case, then the HICBC will apply at a rate of 1% of the child benefit received for every £100 earned over the threshold. If an individual earns over £60,000 per year, the charge will be equal to the amount of child benefit received.

The charge is based on the highest earner's income in a household, and can apply even if they are not the person receiving the child benefit. The person receiving the child benefit can choose to stop receiving it or continue to receive it and pay the HICBC.

It is important to note that the HICBC is a self-assessment tax charge, which means that affected taxpayers will need to declare it on their tax return each year. The charge is calculated based on the income received in the previous tax year.

Overall, the HICBC is designed to ensure that child benefit is targeted to those who need it most, and can help to ensure that public resources are used effectively. It is important for families who receive child benefit to understand the impact of the HICBC on their household income and to seek professional advice if necessary.