Tax Free Childcare

The Government believe that there is a lack of awareness about tax free childcare accounts with HMRC estimating that less than 22% of families that are eligible have joined.

Parents returning to work following the pandemic should set up a childcare account to help with childcare costs.

Tax free childcare is available for working families who are not receiving tax credits, universal credit or childcare vouchers.

Key Points

  1. Earning at least £142 per week each
  2. Wo are not receiving tax credits, universal credit or childcare vouchers
  3. With children aged0-11 (or 0-16 if disabled)
  4. For every £8 you pay into an online account, the government will add an extra £2 up to £2,000 per annum. (£4,000 for disabled children)
  5. If you are separated you and your ex-partner need to decide who should apply if you are jointly responsible for your child.If you cannot decide, both of you must apply separately and HMRC will decide who gets a childcare account.

The tax free childcare scheme is not available if either partner expects to individually earn more than £100,000 per annum

For Example, for childcare cost of £500 per child per month, the family would pay £4000 into their online account and the government would pay in £100 per child. This would be an annual saving of £1,200 per child.

The account can be used to pay for nursery fees, breakfast clubs, after school clubs, summer camps and ofsted registered childminders.

Link: www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Link: https://www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare

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