Tax-Free Childcare Eligibility Checker

Find out if you qualify for the government's 20% childcare contribution scheme in minutes

Updated for 2025

You probably qualify for Tax-Free Childcare if:

You earn at least £183 per week (about £9,518 annually)

You earn less than £100,000 per year

Your child is under 12 (or under 17 with disabilities)

You're employed, self-employed, or on parental leave

You live in England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland

Your childcare provider accepts Tax-Free Childcare payments

Partners: If you have a partner, you both need to meet the income and employment requirements.

You earn more than £100,000 per year

You receive Universal Credit (with childcare costs element)

You claim Working Tax Credit

Your child is 12 or older (17+ with disabilities)

You're on Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance

Neither parent meets the minimum income requirement

See how Tax-Free Childcare eligibility works in practice

£45,000 each (£90,000 total)

Eligible

£35,000 annually

Eligible

£40,000 annually

Eligible

£95,000 each (£190,000 total)

Eligible

£120,000 annually

Not Eligible

£18,000 annually

Not Eligible

Situation	Minimum Income	Maximum Income	Per Week
Single parent	£9,518 annually	£99,999 annually	£183 - £1,923
Couple (both must qualify)	£9,518 each	£99,999 each	£183 - £1,923 each
Couple earning maximum	£9,518 each	£199,998 total	Up to £1,923 each
Disabled child support	Same as above	Same as above	Higher quarterly limits

Use our calculator to see exactly how much you could save each quarter.

Apply directly through the government's Childcare Choices website.