HC Deb 27 January 1977 vol 924 cc758-9W
40. Mr. Michael Marshall

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has to treat maintenance payments as earned income for tax purposes.

Mr. Robert Sheldon

The first £1,000 of maintenance payments is exempted from the investment income surcharge, over and above the general exemption for the first £1,000 of investment income, and to this extent, therefore, they are taxed no more heavily than earned income. The thresholds are kept under review, but I have no proposals for changes in the general rule.