Families could save up to £2,000 a year on childcare costs with Tax-Free Childcare.
More than 400,000 families used the scheme in September 2022 and benefited from the government paying towards childcare costs.
With February half-term approaching, HMRC is encouraging families to find out more about the scheme and to see if they are eligible for support.
A full list of the eligibility criteria is available on GOV.UK.
Families looking for childcare places during February half term could be missing out on a government top-up worth up to £2,000 a year, to help pay their childcare bill.
— HMRC Press Office (@HMRCpressoffice) February 2, 2023
Search ‘Tax-Free Childcare’ on https://t.co/3t7pZ0Watv to find out more.https://t.co/BL6l42EFth
Tax-Free Childcare can help working families pay for any approved childcare for children aged 11 or under, or, 16 if the child has a disability – whether the child goes to nursery, a childminder, attends breakfast or after school club, has holiday care or goes to an out of school activity.
For every £8 paid into an online account, families will automatically receive an additional £2 from the government.
Parents can receive up to £500 every 3 months (£2,000 a year), or £1,000 (£4,000 a year) if their child is disabled.
Opening a Tax-Free Childcare account is simple and takes around 20 minutes. Money can be deposited at any time and can be used straight away, or whenever it is needed.
Unused money in the account can be withdrawn at any time. Go to GOV.UK to register and get started.
Victoria Atkins, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said: “Tax-Free Childcare can make a big difference to household budgets and I urge families to make sure they are getting the help they are entitled to.
“It is a simple process - go online today, set up an account and start making real savings on your childcare costs.”
Families could be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare if they:
- have a child or children aged 11 or under. They stop being eligible on 1 September after their 11th birthday. If their child has a disability, they may get up to £4,000 a year until 1 September after their 16th birthday
- earn, or expect to earn, at least the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week, on average
- each earn no more than £100,000 per annum
- do not receive tax credits, Universal Credit or childcare vouchers
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