The old Childcare Voucher Scheme closed in April 2018 and is not available for new applicants.

What is Tax Free Childcare?

It's a government scheme designed to help working parents with the cost of childcare.

For every £8 you pay in, the government will add another £2, with a maximum saving of £2,000 per child each year to spend on childcare.

Here is more information on how the Tax Free Childcare scheme works.

Pros and cons of Tax Free Childcare

  • Benefit available per child

  • Available to self employed parents

  • Saves more if care costs are high

  • Can't get if claiming some benefits

  • Can't get if income is over £100k

  • Both parents must work to qualify

What are Childcare Vouchers?

They are were offered through your employer and you could use them to pay for your child's care. The cost is taken from your salary before income tax and national insurance are deducted.

You could buy up to £243 of vouchers each month, which worked out as a maximum annual saving of £933 if you're a basic rate tax payer.

You needed to set up a voucher account, and then your employer ordered your vouchers through payroll every month. You'd usually receive them at the same time as your pay.

Find out how childcare vouchers work on GOV.UK

Pros and cons of Childcare Vouchers

  • No eligibility checks

  • You could save more

  • Both parents do not have to work

  • Employer may not offer it

  • Can't get if self employed

  • Saves less if care costs are high

Which is best for you?

Tax Free Childcare is best for...

  • Single parents with childcare costs of £5,000 or more: For example, if your costs are £5,000, you could save £1,000 under the Tax Free Childcare system compared to a maximum of £933 under the voucher scheme.

  • Families with two working parents and childcare costs over £9,500: For example, if your costs are £10,000, you could save £2,000 under the Tax Free Childcare system compared to a maximum of £1,866 under the voucher scheme.

  • Parents that are not eligible for the voucher scheme: For example, if you are self employed, or your employer does not offer the scheme.

As a general rule, you'll be better off using the Tax Free Childcare system if your childcare costs are:

  • More than £4,650 a year as a single parent family

  • More than £9,300 a year as a two parent family

*Figures from Edenred Childcare Vouchers

However, childcare vouchers were best for...

Families with childcare costs less than the amounts above, or that do not meet the Tax Free Childcare eligibility criteria, for example:

  • Two parent families where one does not work

  • Families where either parent earns over £100,000

  • Families where either parent works less than 16 hours a week

What should you do?

Use the GOV.UK calculator to work out how much you could claim in childcare vouchers.