Are you missing out on help towards your childcare costs? – A guide to Tax-Free Childcare

Tax-Free Childcare is a government scheme that pays 20% of childcare costs up to a maximum of £2,000 each year. Tax-Free Childcare is a UK-wide scheme covering England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

For every £8 paid into an online account, the government adds an extra £2, up to £2,000 per child per year (£4,000 for disabled children). It is available for children under the age of 12 (under the age of 17 if the child is disabled).

To be eligible you, and your partner, must be over 16 and each expect to earn at least £142 per week on average. The scheme is not available if you, or your partner, expects to individually earn £100,000 or more.

Please be aware this limit is based on individual earnings and not your combined income.

This scheme can be used in conjunction with both the 15 and 30 hours free childcare.

However, you will not be eligible for the scheme if you are receiving universal credits or tax credits or if you are part of the childcare voucher scheme.

You can use Tax-Free Childcare all year round to spend on regulated childcare, such as:

• Childminders, nurseries and nannies
• Before and after-school clubs and holiday clubs

You can apply for the scheme on the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-tax-free-childcare