With summer break over and children returning to school, parents may be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare to help pay for morning and after school clubs.
The Tax-Free Childcare scheme can help parents of children aged up to 11 years old with their childcare costs, or up to 17 for those with certain disabilities. There are registered childcare providers across the country that have signed up to the scheme including childminders, breakfast clubs, after-school clubs and play schemes.
The scheme provides a governmental top-up on parental contributions. For every £8 paid in by parents, an additional £2 payment will be funded by the Government, up to a maximum total of £10,000 per child per year. This will give parents an annual savings of up to £2,000 per child in childcare costs.
The Tax-Free Childcare scheme is open to all qualifying parents, including self-employed, those on minimum wage, paid sick leave and paid and unpaid statutory maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
In order to qualify, parents must work at least 16 hours per week and earn at least the National Minimum Wage. If either parent earns more than £100,000, both parents are unable to use the scheme.
To register for Tax-Free Childcare, click here.