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Benefits · 25% top-up

Tax-Free Childcare Calculator

For every £8 you pay into a Tax-Free Childcare account, the government adds £2 — up to £2,000 per child per year (£4,000 for disabled children).

£

Government top-up

£1,500

Breakdown

  • You pay
    £4,500
  • Government adds (25%)
    £1,500
  • Total childcare paid
    £6,000

How we calculated your result

The 25% top-up applies until you hit the annual cap. £10k of paid-in funds gets you the maximum £2k top-up; anything beyond is unmatched.

Official UK rules in simple English

  • Child must be under 12 (or 17 if disabled).
  • Both parents must each earn at least £166/week and under £100k.
  • Can’t combine with Universal Credit childcare or vouchers.
  • Reconfirm eligibility every 3 months.

Common pitfalls to watch out for

  • ⚠ £100k cliff edge

    If either parent earns over £100k, the entire account closes — even for kids already in it.

  • ⚠ Vouchers vs TFC

    Childcare vouchers are closed to new entrants but if you’re already in, often better for basic-rate taxpayers.

  • ⚠ Forgot to reconfirm

    Miss the 3-monthly reconfirmation and the account suspends — no top-ups until renewed.

Frequently asked questions

Does it work with the 30 free hours?
Yes, you can use both together for hours beyond the 30 free.
Per child or per family cap?
Per child. £2k cap applies to each child individually.

Educational. Eligibility rules change — confirm on GOV.UK.

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