Children playing in a garden

Tax Free Childcare Calculator

Work out how much to pay into your childcare account and how much the government will add.

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Manage Your Account

Sign in to your Tax-Free Childcare account to add funds, pay providers, and reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months.

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Check Your Eligibility

Use the official government checker to see if you qualify for Tax-Free Childcare and other childcare support schemes.

Check Eligibility

Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Follow the official government guide from eligibility check to receiving your first government contribution.

Start Guide

What you need to know

Tax-Free Childcare top-up scheme

Tax-Free Childcare is designed to help working parents with the cost of childcare. For every £8 you pay into your childcare account, the government will add an extra £2, up to £2,000 per child per year, or £4,000 if your child is disabled.

Who Can Apply?
Working parents (including self-employed) with children under 11, or under 17 if disabled. Each parent must usually earn the equivalent of 16 hours a week at National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage and have adjusted net income of no more than £100,000 a year. Single parents must meet the same criteria.
How Much You Save
For every £8 you pay in, the government adds £2 - that's up to £2,000 per child per year (£4,000 for disabled children). You could save thousands on childcare costs!
What's Covered
Use funds for registered nurseries, childminders, after-school clubs, holiday schemes, and more. Most Ofsted-registered providers accept Tax-Free Childcare payments.
Quick & Easy Application
Takes just 20 minutes to apply online. You'll need your National Insurance number, employment details, and partner's information (if applicable).
Quarterly Top-ups
For every £8 you pay in, the government adds £2, up to £500 per child every 3 months (£1,000 for disabled children). Payments are instant once approved.
Combine with Other Support
Use alongside 30 hours free childcare for maximum savings. Cannot be used with Universal Credit childcare support.

How to use the Tax Free Childcare calculator

Enter your childcare bill, account balance and recent top-ups to see how much to pay in and what the government will add.

Tax-Free Childcare works as a 20% top-up. In practical terms, you pay 80% of an eligible bill into your childcare account and the government adds the remaining 20%, up to the quarterly cap.

Example Tax-Free Childcare payments
Provider billYou pay inGov top-up
£500£400£100
£1,000£800£200
£2,500£2,000£500

Tax Free Childcare calculator FAQs

What does this Tax Free Childcare calculator do?
It estimates how much you should pay into your childcare account so the government top-up covers the rest of a provider bill.
How much does the government add?
For every £8 you pay in, the government adds £2. That means you normally pay 80% of the bill and the government top-up covers 20%, subject to the scheme limits.
What is the Tax-Free Childcare top-up limit?
The standard limit is up to £500 every 3 months per child, or up to £1,000 every 3 months for a disabled child.
Should I pay the full childcare bill into my account?
Usually no. To cover a provider bill with Tax-Free Childcare, pay 80% into the account and let the 20% government top-up make up the total, unless you already have money in the account.
Is this an official GOV.UK calculator?
No. This is an independent calculator for quick estimates. Use GOV.UK to apply, check eligibility, sign in, and confirm current scheme rules.

Popular Resources

How to Apply

Follow our current step-by-step guide to applying for Tax-Free Childcare, including eligibility, what you need and the application process.

Read Guide

The £100,000 Income Rule

Learn how the Tax-Free Childcare income limit works, what adjusted net income includes and why it is not always the same as your salary.

Check the Rule

30 Hours Free Childcare

Learn about the 30 Hours Free Childcare scheme, eligibility requirements, and how to combine it with other support for maximum savings.

Learn More

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Disclaimer

The calculator provided on this website is for informational and guidance purposes only. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the calculations, we cannot guarantee that the results will be free from errors or omissions. The calculations and results generated by this tool are based on the information you provide and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice.