Tax Free Childcare

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Did you know you can get up to £500 every 3 months (up to £2,000 a year) for each of your children to help with the costs of childcare. This goes up to £1,000 every 3 months if a child is disabled (up to £4,000 a year). 

If you get Tax-Free Childcare, you’ll set up an online childcare account for your child. For every £8 you pay into this account, the government will pay in £2 to use to pay your provider. 

You can get Tax-Free Childcare at the same time as 30 hours free childcare if you’re eligible for both.  

You can use it to pay for approved childcare, for example:  childminders, nurseries and nannies after school clubs and play schemes.

Your childcare provider must be signed up to the scheme before you can pay them and benefit from Tax-Free Childcare. Please check with your provider to see if they’re signed up.

If your child is disabled:

You can use the extra Tax-Free Childcare money you get to help pay for extra hours of childcare. You can also use it to help pay your childcare provider so they can get specialist equipment for your child such as mobility aids. Talk to them about what equipment your child can get.  

Eligibility is based on your:

• work status
• income
• child's age
• circumstances
• immigration status

You cannot get tax free childcare if you are claiming for working tax credits, child tax credits, universal credit or childcare vouchers.

Selecting a scheme best for you and your situation can be done on the gov.uk childcare calculator.

You must apply online through the gov.uk website for Tax Free Childcare.

All references can be found on the link below.