Tag: Tax-Free Childcare

Save on Easter childcare egg-spenses in Scotland with Tax-Free Childcare

  • Working families encouraged to cut the cost of Easter childcare by signing up to Tax-Free Childcare
  • Latest figures show 36,120 families in Scotland saved on their childcare bills in December 2025
  • More than £46 million in government cash helped with childcare costs for almost 660,000 children

More than 36,100 families in Scotland saved money on their childcare in December as HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) urges families to sign up before booking their Easter holiday childcare.

Working families who sign up to Tax-Free Childcare can make yearly savings of £2,000 off their childcare costs for each of their children up to the age of 11 and £4,000 for disabled children up to the age of 16.

Visit GOV.UK to check eligibility and register for Tax-Free Childcare.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said: “£2,000 a year off childcare bills can make a big difference to household expenses. There are plenty of childcare providers to choose from to suit your needs and your children’s interests – sign up today to make those savings for the Easter school holidays and for your plans for the rest of the year. Go to GOV.UK to find out more.” 

Once a Tax-Free Childcare account has been opened for each child, for every £8 deposited, the government tops it up by £2. A total of £46.6 million in government cash was added to accounts in December, the latest figures show, contributing to the cost of childcare for almost 660,000 children.

A family can save up to £500 every three months for each child (£1,000 every three months if the child is disabled) which can be used to pay for any approved childcare. 

Parents can choose from thousands of providers now accepting Tax-Free Childcare as payment including wraparound care or childminders for term time care, or holiday clubs and workshops during the school holidays. 

Once an account is open, parents can deposit money to use straight away or keep it in the account for whenever it’s needed. Any unused money in the account can be withdrawn at any time.   

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 receive up to £4,000 a year to help with higher childcare costs that are often involved, until 1 September after their 16th birthday   
  • the parent and their partner (if they have one) 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 Universal Credit or childcare vouchers    

Tax-Free Childcare can be used alongside the free childcare hours, subject to eligibility. 

34,200 families in Scotland avoid the Hallowe’en chills by using Tax-Free Childcare

  • More than 34,200 families in Scotland received an average of £100 towards their monthly childcare bills in June 2025
  • Working families encouraged to sign up to Tax-Free Childcare as UK Government top-ups totalled £57.7 million
  • Supporting the government’s mission to grow the economy and deliver on the Plan for Change

Working families are encouraged to sign up to Tax-Free Childcare ahead of the spooky school holidays to avoid tricky childcare bills as latest figures from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) show 34,255 families in Scotland got a savings treat in June.

Paying childcare bills through a Tax-Free Childcare account can save working families up to £2,000 per year for each of their children up to the age of 11 or £4,000 per year up to the age of 16 if the child is disabled.

HMRC is encouraging those yet to sign up for Tax-Free Childcare, to do it now to take advantage of savings on their half term childcare.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said: “Hallowe’en doesn’t need to be a tricky time for childcare bills. Whether you’re working and have a child in a holiday club or taking time off and planning term-time care, paying your bills with Tax-Free Childcare can help. Go to GOV.UK to start saving today.”

Once a Tax-Free Childcare account is open, for every £8 parents deposit in their child’s account, the government tops it up by £2. Parents can receive up to £500 (or £1,000 if their child is disabled) every 3 months towards their childcare costs.

In June, the government paid a total of £57.7 million in top-ups to Tax-Free Childcare accounts which means each family received, on average, more than £100 to be used towards their childcare bills.

Parents can use Tax-Free Childcare to help pay toward any approved childcare for their child – so that’s nursery for younger children or, for older children who are in school, wraparound childcare, after-school and holiday clubs.

Once families have opened a Tax-Free Childcare account, they can deposit money and use it straight away or keep it in the account to use it whenever it’s needed. Any unused money in the account can be withdrawn at any time.   

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 receive up to £4,000 a year until 1 September after their 16th birthday   
  • the parent and their partner (if they have one) 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 Universal Credit or childcare vouchers    

Visit GOV.UK to check eligibility and register for Tax-Free Childcare.

Tax-Free Childcare can be used alongside the free childcare hours, subject to eligibility. 

HMRC: Make everyday a playday with Tax-Free Childcare

  • This Playday (6 August), working families are encouraged to sign up for Tax-Free Childcare to save on their childcare bills.
  • Working families can save up to £2,000 annually when paying for childcare in 75,000 childcare settings across the UK.
  • Supporting the government’s mission to grow the economy and deliver on the Plan for Change by putting more money in the pockets of working people.

To mark Playday 2025 (6 August), HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is encouraging working families to save money by signing up to Tax-Free Childcare and using one of the thousands of facilities accepting it as payment.

Tax-Free Childcare means working families can save up to £2,000 annually for each child up to the age of 11, and £4,000 for a disabled child up to the age of 16, when they’re paying for their childcare.

There are now 75,000 childcare settings accepting Tax-Free Childcare as payment including nurseries, registered childminders, holiday activity clubs and, for when school starts back in September, before and after school clubs.

Playday is an annual celebration of children’s right to play, highlighting the importance of play in their health, wellbeing and development. 

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said: “Whether your child is interested in football, climbing, crafting or dance, there’s a huge variety of childcare settings accepting Tax-Free Childcare.

“Children can learn something new and have fun with their friends while their parents save on their childcare bills. Visit GOV.UK to sign up today.”

Families yet to sign up for Tax-Free Childcare can do it now to pay for their summer activities or start paying into it ready for breakfast and after-school clubs when the new term starts. 

Once families have opened a Tax-Free Childcare account, they can deposit money and use it straight away or keep it in the account to use it whenever it’s needed. Any unused payments can be withdrawn at any time.   

For every £8 deposited in a Tax-Free Childcare account, the government tops it up by £2, which means parents can receive up to £500 (or £1,000 if their child is disabled) every 3 months towards their 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 receive up to £4,000 a year until 1 September after their 16th birthday   
  • the parent and their partner (if they have one) 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 Universal Credit or childcare vouchers    

   

Visit GOV.UK to check eligibility and register for Tax-Free Childcare.

Tax-Free Childcare can be used alongside the free childcare hours, subject to eligibility. 

826,000 families boost finances with childcare savings

  • Almost 826,000 UK families shared £632.2 million in government top-ups towards their childcare bills with Tax-Free Childcare in the 2024 to 2025 tax year
  • Working families urged to sign up now to give their summer plans a financial boost
  • Supporting the government’s mission to grow the economy and deliver on the Plan for Change

Nearly 826,000 working families saved up to £2,000 per child with Tax-Free Childcare in the 2024 to 2025 tax year. The money helps families pay for their childcare, as part of the government’s Plan for Change to put more money in people’s pockets.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is encouraging those yet to sign up for Tax-Free Childcare, to do it now and give their summer plans a financial boost. 

Latest figures from HMRC show in March 2025, 36,095 families in Scotland used the scheme to save on their annual childcare bills, an increase of 4,925 families compared to the previous March. 

Working families who sign up to Tax-Free Childcare can boost their annual budget by up to £2,000 per child up to the age of 11 or up to £4,000 up to the age of 16 for a disabled child.

Parents can use the scheme to help towards the cost of approved childcare whether that’s nursery for younger children, or for older children – wraparound or after school care clubs during term time or holiday clubs for the long summer holidays ahead.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “Summer can be an expensive time if you have children. Whatever you’re planning, Tax-Free Childcare can give your plans a welcome financial boost. Go to GOV.UK to start saving today.”

For every £8 deposited in a Tax-Free Childcare account, the government tops it by £2, which means parents can receive up to £500 (or £1,000 if their child is disabled) every 3 months towards paying for their childcare costs.

Once families have opened a Tax-Free Childcare account, they can deposit money and use it straight away or keep it in the account to use it whenever it’s needed. Any unused money in the account can be withdrawn at any time.   

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 receive up to £4,000 a year until 1 September after their 16th birthday   
  • the parent and their partner (if they have one) 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 Universal Credit or childcare vouchers       

Visit GOV.UK to check eligibility and register for Tax-Free Childcare.

Tax-Free Childcare can be used alongside the free childcare hours subject to eligibility.

HMRC: Join 34,000 families in Scotland & save on childcare costs for Easter holidays

HMRC is encouraging working parents to open a Tax-Free Childcare account to save on their childcare costs for the Easter holidays.

Tax-Free Childcare is a UK Government funded top-up scheme for working parents and can be used to pay for approved childcare for children aged 11 or under, or up to 16 years old if the child has a disability. Parents can save up to £2,000 per year per child or £4,000 if their child is disabled. The funds can be used to pay for a before- or after-school clubs, a childminder or an activity club during the holidays. 

For every £8 deposited in a Tax-Free Childcare account, the government tops it by £2 which means parents can receive up to £500 (or £1,000 if their child is disabled) every 3 months to help pay their childcare costs. 

Latest figures show 34,440 families in Scotland saved thousands on their childcare in December 2024, an increase of nearly 5,000 compared to the previous year. 

In December, parents across the UK received a total of £49.7 million in government cash to save on their childcare bills. 

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 receive up to £4,000 a year until 1 September after their 16th birthday    
  • the parent and their partner (if they have one) 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     

   Families can check their eligibility and apply on GOV.UK.  

 Tax-Free Childcare can be used with the free hours offer (15 or 30 hours) as long as eligibility is met.  

HMRC: Families urged to boost their back-to-school budget with Tax-Free Childcare

Now the new school term has started, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding families to open a Tax-Free Childcare account today to save up to £2,000 per child on their yearly childcare bills. 

Families can use their Tax-Free Childcare account to pay for any approved childcare including holiday clubs, breakfast and after school clubs, child minders and nurseries.    

The scheme provides working families, with children up to the age of 11, or 16 if their child has a disability, up to £2,000 a year per child or £4,000 a year if their child is disabled. For every £8 paid into a Tax-Free Childcare account, families automatically receive the UK Government top up of £2. Families can save up to £500 every three months for each child or £1,000 if their child is disabled. 

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “Arranging childcare can be costly for working families. Tax-Free Childcare offers financial help so families can save on the cost of childcare. Search Tax-Free Childcare on GOV.UK and sign up online today.” 

Opening a Tax-Free Childcare account online is straightforward and can be done in about 20 minutes. Money can be deposited at any time, 365 days a year, to be used straight away or left in the account and used whenever it is needed. Unused money in the account can be withdrawn at any time.   

Go to GOV.UK to register and start saving today.

The UK Government is offering help for households. Check GOV.UK to find out what cost of living support is available, including help with childcare costs.   

Almost 38,500 families in Scotland cut their childcare costs thanks to Tax-Free Childcare

Tax-Free Childcare has saved 38,495 families in Scotland on their childcare costs during the 2022 to 2023 tax year, an increase of more than 9,300 from the previous year according to the latest statistics released by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) today (24 May 2023). 

With thousands more families benefitting from the UK Government top up year on year, HMRC is reminding eligible working families of the financial support available to pay for approved childcare including holiday clubs, breakfast and after school clubs, child minders and nurseries. Last year, £533 million in government cash was shared by families across the UK who saved money on their childcare bills. 

Working families, with children up to the age of 11, or 16 if their child has a disability, can save up to £2,000 a year per child or £4,000 a year if their child is disabled. 

For every £8 paid into a Tax-Free Childcare account, families automatically receive an additional government top up of £2. Families can save up to £500 every 3 months for each child or £1,000 if their child is disabled.  

This is one of many ways the UK Government is easing cost of living for people across the country, whilst taking action to halve inflation this year which is currently adding pressure to household budgets.

Victoria Atkins, The Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said: “While thousands more working families are benefitting from Tax-Free Childcare, which is making a real difference to their childcare bills, many more are missing out on the help they’re entitled to.

“Parents should check their eligibility and apply online, the top-up could make a big difference to working families at a time they need it most.”

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: 

“Tax-Free Childcare is a flexible benefit for families, allowing them to save towards the cost of childcare throughout the year and use when they need it. It can be a real boost to the household budget of working families. Search ‘Tax-Free Childcare’ on GOV.UK and sign up today.”  

More than one million families could be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare. Families who haven’t signed up should check their eligibility and sign up to start saving today.  

Opening a Tax-Free Childcare account is straightforward and can be done online in about 20 minutes. Money can be deposited at any time at any time of the year to 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.    

The UK Government is offering help for households. Check GOV.UK to find out what cost of living support, including help with childcare costs.  

Crack your Easter childcare costs with tax-free top ups 

With the Easter school holidays nearly here, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding families in Scotland not to miss out on UK Government help to pay for childcare. 

Tax-Free Childcare can pay for any approved childcare for children aged 11 or under, or 16 if the child has a disability. More than 26,000 families in Scotland used the scheme in December 2022.

Working families, where each parent or carer earns up to £100,000 can use it, meaning for every £8 paid into an online account they will receive an additional £2 from the government. This means parents and carers can receive up to £500 every 3 months (£2,000 a year for each child), or £1,000 (£4,000 a year for each child) if their child is disabled.  

Whether children go to nursery, a childminder, attend breakfast, after school or holiday clubs, as well as out of school activities, Tax-Free Childcare could be used.

Opening a Tax-Free Childcare account is quick and easy and can be done at any time of the year. Families who have not yet signed up should check their eligibility and apply online today.

Victoria Atkins, Financial Secretary to The Treasury, said:  “Tax-Free Childcare provides extra help with childcare costs which could make all the difference to working families and make childcare expenses more manageable.

“I would urge families to go online today to find out how it can help you.”  

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:  “Childcare is so important for working families, especially during school holiday time. Tax-Free Childcare provides financial support when it’s needed the most.

“Search ‘Tax-Free Childcare’ on GOV.UK to find out how it could help you.”  

A Tax-Free Childcare account can be opened online in just 20 minutes. Money can be deposited at any time to 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.  

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 can receive support 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 .  

A full list of the eligibility criteria is available on GOV.UK.  

The UK Government is offering help for households. Check GOV.UK to find out what cost of living support, including help with childcare costs, families could be eligible for.  

26,240 families in Scotland saved on costs with Tax-Free Childcare

More than 26,000 families in Scotland saved on childcare costs in December thanks to Tax-Free Childcare and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging those yet to sign up not to miss out. 

The latest figures revealed by HMRC show an increase of 6,390 families in Scotland using the scheme compared to December 2021. 

Tax-Free Childcare is a financial support for working families with children up to the age of 11, or 16 if their child has a disability. The government top up can be used to pay for any approved childcare including holiday clubs, breakfast and after school clubs, child minders and nurseries.  

A total of £41.5 million in government top-up payments were made to working families across the UK in December 2022 with each family saving up to £2,000 a year per child or £4,000 if their child is disabled. 

Families who have not yet signed up should check their eligibility and apply online today.

Opening a Tax-Free Childcare account is quick and easy and can be done at any time of the year.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “We want to help families get the most out of their finances and Tax-Free Childcare can help pay towards their childcare costs. Search ‘Tax-Free Childcare’ on GOV.UK to get started.” 

For every £8 paid into the Tax-Free Childcare account, families automatically receive an additional £2. Families can save up to £500 every three months (£2,000 a year) for each child or £1,000 (£4,000 a year) if their child is disabled. 

More than one million families in the UK are entitled to some form of government childcare support and the government is encouraging those eligible not to miss out on their entitlements.  Families can find out more about Tax-Free Childcare via the Childcare Choices website. 

The government is offering help for households. Check GOV.UK to find out what cost of living support, including help with childcare costs. 

HMRC: Boost your childcare budget this half term 

As the February half term draws closer, families are being reminded that they can save up to £2,000 a year on childcare costs with Tax-Free Childcare. 

More than 24,900 families in Scotland used the scheme in September 2022 and benefitted from the government paying towards childcare costs. 

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is encouraging families to find out more about Tax-Free Childcare and check their eligibility via Childcare Choices. 

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.” 

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “We want to help working families and by using Tax-Free Childcare, they can use the government top-up to make their money go further.

“Search ‘Tax-Free Childcare’ on GOV.UK to find out how it could help you.” 

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  

A full list of the eligibility criteria is available on GOV.UK. 

Families can learn more about the childcare offers available to them and what support they’re entitled to by visiting Childcare Choices. 

The government is offering help for households. Check GOV.UK to find out what cost of living support, including help with childcare costs, families could be eligible for.