Question 1

How much does the government add to Tax-Free Childcare?

Accepted Answer

The government adds 20% to what you pay into your Tax-Free Childcare account. For every £4 you pay in, the government adds £1. This means if you pay £400, you'll have £500 total to spend on childcare.

Question 2

What is the maximum Tax-Free Childcare top-up per quarter?

Accepted Answer

The maximum government top-up is £500 per child per quarter for children under 12, or £1,000 per quarter for disabled children under 17. This means you can pay in up to £2,000 per quarter (£2,500 for disabled children) to get the maximum top-up.

Question 3

Who is eligible for Tax-Free Childcare?

Accepted Answer

You're eligible if you earn at least £183 per week (£9,518 annually) and less than £100,000 per year, are employed or self-employed, and have children under 12 (or under 17 with disabilities). If you have a partner, you both need to meet these requirements.

Question 4

How often do I need to reconfirm my Tax-Free Childcare eligibility?

Accepted Answer

You must reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months. This involves updating your employment status, income, and family circumstances. Missing your reconfirmation deadline will stop government top-ups until you update your details.

Question 5

Can I use Tax-Free Childcare with Universal Credit?

Accepted Answer

No, you cannot claim Tax-Free Childcare if you receive Universal Credit with the childcare costs element. You must choose between the two schemes - they cannot be used together.

Question 6

What childcare providers accept Tax-Free Childcare?

Accepted Answer

Most registered childcare providers accept Tax-Free Childcare, including nurseries, childminders, after-school clubs, and holiday clubs. The provider must be registered with Ofsted (in England) or equivalent bodies in other UK nations and signed up to the Tax-Free Childcare scheme.

Question 7

When do Tax-Free Childcare quarters start and end?

Accepted Answer

Tax-Free Childcare quarters run from: January-March, April-June, July-September, and October-December. Your quarterly limits reset at the start of each quarter, and unused allowance doesn't carry over to the next quarter.

Question 8

Can self-employed parents claim Tax-Free Childcare?

Accepted Answer

Yes, self-employed parents can claim Tax-Free Childcare if they expect to earn at least £183 per week on average. You'll need to provide evidence of your expected earnings when applying and during reconfirmation.

Question 9

What happens if I forget to reconfirm my Tax-Free Childcare?

Accepted Answer

If you miss your reconfirmation deadline, government top-ups will stop immediately. You can still use any money already in your account, but no new top-ups will be added until you complete reconfirmation and are approved again.

Question 10

How long does it take for Tax-Free Childcare payments to reach providers?

Accepted Answer

Payments to childcare providers typically arrive within 24-48 hours of being sent from your Tax-Free Childcare account. Some providers may take longer to process the payment on their end.

Question 11

Can I get Tax-Free Childcare for children over 12?

Accepted Answer

Children must be under 12 to qualify for Tax-Free Childcare, except for disabled children who can qualify until they turn 17. Once a child reaches the age limit, they are no longer eligible for the scheme.

Question 12

How does Tax-Free Childcare work with 30 hours free childcare?

Accepted Answer

Tax-Free Childcare and 30 hours free childcare can be used together. The 30 hours covers some of your childcare costs for free, and you can use Tax-Free Childcare to help pay for additional hours or costs not covered by the free entitlement.

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Tax-Free Childcare FAQs

How much does the government add to Tax-Free Childcare?

What is the maximum Tax-Free Childcare top-up per quarter?

Who is eligible for Tax-Free Childcare?

How often do I need to reconfirm my Tax-Free Childcare eligibility?

Can I use Tax-Free Childcare with Universal Credit?

What childcare providers accept Tax-Free Childcare?

When do Tax-Free Childcare quarters start and end?

Can self-employed parents claim Tax-Free Childcare?

What happens if I forget to reconfirm my Tax-Free Childcare?

How long does it take for Tax-Free Childcare payments to reach providers?

Can I get Tax-Free Childcare for children over 12?

How does Tax-Free Childcare work with 30 hours free childcare?

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Tax-Free Childcare FAQs

How much does the government add to Tax-Free Childcare?

What is the maximum Tax-Free Childcare top-up per quarter?

Who is eligible for Tax-Free Childcare?

How often do I need to reconfirm my Tax-Free Childcare eligibility?

Can I use Tax-Free Childcare with Universal Credit?

What childcare providers accept Tax-Free Childcare?

When do Tax-Free Childcare quarters start and end?

Can self-employed parents claim Tax-Free Childcare?

What happens if I forget to reconfirm my Tax-Free Childcare?

How long does it take for Tax-Free Childcare payments to reach providers?

Can I get Tax-Free Childcare for children over 12?

How does Tax-Free Childcare work with 30 hours free childcare?

Still Need Help?

Calculate Your Savings

Check Eligibility

Official Support