Tax-Free Childcare

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Tax-Free Childcare is for working families, including those self-employed.

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).

How does it work?

For every £8 you pay into your online account, the government will pay in £2. This means you can get up to £2,000 per year for each child towards the cost of childcare (or up to £4,000 per year if your child is disabled).

This money can then be used to pay for approved childcare, such as a:

  • Childminder
  • Nursery
  • Nannie
  • After school or holiday clubs

The childcare provider must also 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’ve signed up.

Am I eligible?

You can claim Tax-Free Childcare if:

  • You have a child aged 0-11 years old (or until 16 if they are disabled)

  • You, and any partner, must be over 16 and each expect to earn (on average) at least £183 per week (equal to 16 hours at the National Minimum or Living Wage). 

  • If you, or your partner, are on maternity, paternity or adoption leave, or you're unable to work because you are disabled or have caring responsibilities, you could still be eligible. 

  • You can't get Tax-Free Childcare if either you, or your partner, each individually expect to earn £100,000 or more.

You can find more information on the eligibility criteria at Tax-Free Childcare - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

How can I apply?

There's one application for Tax-Free Childcare and 30 hours free childcare. As part of your application, you will find out if you can get both.

To apply you’ll need your details (and your partner’s, if you have one), including your:

  • National Insurance number

  • Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), if you’re self-employed

Apply online for Tax-Free Childcare here

If you're eligible you'll get a childcare account. You can use this to pay your childcare provider.

You must confirm your details are up to date every 3 months. Do this through your childcare account.

Already have an account? Sign in to your childcare account.

Important points to consider

You cannot get Tax-Free Childcare at the same time as claiming Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Universal Credit or childcare vouchers.

Which scheme you’re better off with depends on your situation. Use the childcare calculator to work out which type of support is best for you.

You can read further information under the ‘If you get tax credits, Universal Credit, a childcare bursary or grant, or childcare vouchers’ section at Tax-Free Childcare - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Related Advice

  1. 2 year olds: 15 hours funded childcare support for eligible low-income families
  2. 15 hours funded childcare support for every 3 and 4-year-old
  3. 30 hours funded childcare support for 3 and 4-year-olds (extended entitlement)

Related Pages

  1. Early Help and family hubs and support for families

Page last reviewed: 05/09/2024

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