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Tax-Free Childcare Calculator 2025/26

Instantly calculate your UK government top-up and see exactly what you pay your childcare provider.

Your Childcare Details

£
£

Your Result

You pay £0.00
Government pays £0.00
Total to provider £0.00

Equivalent to £0.00 free per year.

How Tax-Free Childcare Works

1

Open an account

Apply online via GOV.UK and open a tax-free childcare account for each of your children.

2

Pay money in

For every £8 you pay into your online account, the government will automatically add £2 — a 20% top-up on your deposits.

3

Pay your provider

Use the total balance (your money + government top-up) to pay your registered childcare provider directly from the account.

What is Tax-Free Childcare?

Tax-Free Childcare is a UK government scheme designed to help working parents with the cost of childcare. It is available to parents of children aged 11 or under (or 16 if the child is disabled) and can be used to pay for registered childminders, nurseries, nannies, after-school clubs, and play schemes.

How much can you save?

For every £8 you deposit into your online Tax-Free Childcare account, the government will top up £2. That means you effectively receive a 20% discount on your childcare costs, up to a maximum government contribution of £2,000 per child per year (equivalent to £500 per quarter). If your child is disabled, the maximum government contribution doubles to £4,000 per year (£1,000 per quarter).

Who is eligible?

To qualify, you (and your partner, if you have one) must each expect to earn at least the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week. Neither parent can have an income over £100,000 per year. You cannot claim Tax-Free Childcare if you are already receiving Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, or childcare vouchers. However, you can still use your 15 or 30 hours free childcare entitlement alongside Tax-Free Childcare.

Key facts at a glance

  • Government top-up: £2 for every £8 you pay (20%)
  • Maximum per child: £2,000/year (£500/quarter)
  • Disabled child maximum: £4,000/year (£1,000/quarter)
  • Child age limit: 11 or under (16 if disabled)
  • Reconfirm eligibility: every 3 months
  • Apply at: GOV.UK Tax-Free Childcare

Frequently Asked Questions

The government will pay up to £2,000 per child per year (£500 per quarter). If your child is disabled, the maximum goes up to £4,000 a year (£1,000 per quarter). The top-up is calculated at 20% — for every £8 you pay in, the government adds £2.

Your child must be 11 or under. They stop being eligible on 1 September after their 11th birthday. Disabled children are eligible until 1 September after their 16th birthday.

No, you cannot get Tax-Free Childcare at the same time as claiming Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Universal Credit, or childcare vouchers. You can still claim your 15 or 30 free hours of childcare if eligible.

The government contributes 20% of your childcare deposit. For every £8 you pay into your Tax-Free Childcare account, the government adds £2. This is capped at £500 per child per quarter (£2,000 per year), or £1,000 per quarter (£4,000 per year) for disabled children.

You (and your partner, if applicable) must each earn at least the National Minimum Wage for 16 hours per week, and neither of you can earn more than £100,000 per year. You must not be receiving Universal Credit, Tax Credits, or childcare vouchers.

You can apply online through GOV.UK. You will need to set up a childcare account for each child and reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months.