Among the many responsibilities of parenthood, childcare expenses can often weigh heavy on your family's budget. While childcare can be expensive, there is help out there to help ease this burden. One of these forms of support is Tax-Free Childcare.
In this guide, we'll walk you through what Tax-Free Childcare is, who's eligible, what it can be used for, and how to sign up.
What is Tax-Free Childcare
Tax-Free Childcare is a government initiative designed to assist working parents with the growing cost of childcare. The scheme offers parents financial support to help cover the expenses of qualified childcare services for parents. It's important to note that Tax-Free Childcare is different from the Childcare Voucher scheme, which is now closed to new applicants.
With Tax-Free Childcare, for every £8 you pay into your childcare account, the government contributes an extra £2, effectively providing a 20% top-up on your childcare costs. This top-up might not seem like loads, but it can make a huge difference in your monthly budget.
Am I Eligible for Tax-Free Childcare?
The good news is that this scheme is available to a broad range of parents. To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:
- Your child must be under 12 years old, or under 17 if they have a disability (the scheme is available until the September after the child turns 11)
- You and your partner must be working, self-employed, or on sick leave or annual leave.
- You must earn a minimum income of the equivalent of 16 hours/week, but neither you or your partner can earn more than £100,000 per year.
- You must not be receiving other forms of financial assistance for childcare, such as Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, or Child Tax Credit.
- You must be a UK resident.
It's key to ensure you meet these eligibility criteria before proceeding to apply for Tax-Free Childcare. If you're unsure, you can use the government's eligibility checker to determine if you qualify.
What Can Tax-Free Childcare Be Used For?
Tax-Free Childcare offers flexibility in terms of what childcare expenses it can cover. You can use the funds in your childcare account to pay for a wide range of childcare options, including:
- Registered Childminders: You can use Tax-Free Childcare to pay for the services of registered childminders, who provide flexible childcare for your child.
- Day Nurseries: Day nurseries offer a structured and stimulating environment for children to learn and play, and Tax-Free Childcare can help with the costs.
- Preschools and Playgroups: For children aged 2 to 5, you can use Tax-Free Childcare to cover the fees of preschools and playgroups.
- After-School Clubs: If your child attends an after-school club, Tax-Free Childcare can help you with the costs associated.
- Approved Home Childcarers: Approved home childcarers provide childcare in your home or theirs, and Tax-Free Childcare can be used to pay for their services.
- Schools: Tax-Free Childcare can also be used to pay for before- and after-school clubs that are run by schools.
The flexibility of this scheme makes it a valuable resource for parents who need reliable childcare solutions that suit their family's needs.
How to Sign Up for Tax-Free Childcare
Before accessing your tax-free childcare, you’ll need to create an online account. The process is straightforward, and here's a step-by-step guide:
- Create a Government Gateway account: To get started, you'll need to have a Government Gateway account. If you don't already have one, you can set it up easily online.
- Apply for Tax-Free Childcare: Once you have your Government Gateway account, you can apply for Tax-Free Childcare. You'll need to provide essential information about your family, your income, and your child.
- Pay into your childcare account: After your application is approved, you can start paying into your childcare account. For every £8 you contribute, the government adds £2, giving you a 20% boost.
- Pay your childcare provider: When your account is funded, you can use the money to pay your chosen childcare provider. Ensure that your provider is registered with a regulator such as Ofsted.
- Reconfirm your eligibility: It's important to reconfirm your eligibility every three months. This ensures that you continue to receive the government's 20% top-up.
- Keep your childcare account active: Make sure to use the funds in your childcare account, as they expire after three months if unused.
For more help with childcare and to learn about your eligibility for free nursery hours, see this here.
