Tax-Free Childcare Calculator
See how much the government adds to your childcare. For every £8 you pay in, they add £2, up to £2,000 per child per year (£4,000 if disabled).
Government top-up £2,000
How Tax-Free Childcare works
You open an online account and pay money in. The government adds 25% on top straight away, the equivalent of £2 for every £8. You spend the combined pot on qualifying childcare providers signed up to the scheme, from nurseries to after-school and holiday clubs.
Here is the full top-up in practice. Pay in £8,000 for one child over the year and the government adds £2,000, giving you £10,000 to spend on childcare.
Eligibility (2025)
Min. earnings
Each parent earns at least about £1,664 a quarter (16h a week at National Minimum Wage)
Max. income
Each parent under £100,000 adjusted net income
Child age
Under 12 (under 17 if disabled)
Exclusions
Not alongside Universal Credit or Tax Credits for the same child
Eligibility is a guide and is set by HMRC. Check yours at the official Childcare Choices service.
Updated for tax year 2025/26 · Checked 22 Jun 2026