Tax-Free Childcare Calculator
What's My Tax-Free Childcare?
Calculate how much you could save with Tax-Free Childcare. For every £8 you pay, the government adds £2, up to £2,000 per child per year.
Childcare Details
Your Results
Enter your childcare costs and click calculate to see your potential savings.
How it works
For every £8 you pay into your childcare account, the government adds £2 — up to £2,000 per child per year (£4,000 for disabled children). Money sits in your account until you're ready to use it.
Open an account
Apply via the government Childcare Choices website. Takes around 20 minutes.
Pay in what you need
Pay £8 and the government instantly adds £2. Up to £500 free money per quarter.
Pay your provider
Pay directly from your account. Any Ofsted-registered provider qualifies.
Key points
- 20% government top-up on all contributions
- Maximum £500 top-up per quarter (£2,000/yr)
- Can be used alongside 15 and 30 hours free childcare
- Unused money stays in your account — no expiry
- Available in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
- Works for most Ofsted-registered providers including childminders
How much could you save?
| Monthly Spend | You Pay | Gov Adds | Annual Saving |
| £200 / mo | £160 | £40 | £480 |
| £350 / mo | £280 | £70 | £840 |
| £500 / mo | £400 | £100 | £1,200 |
| £667 / mo | £534 | £133 | £2,000 max |
Eligibility
- Child must be under 11 (or 17 if disabled)
- Both parents must be working
- Each parent earns at least £152 per week
- Neither parent can earn over £100,000 per year
- Provider must be Ofsted-registered
TFC vs other schemes — which is better for you?
| Situation | Tax-Free Childcare | Universal Credit | Tax Credits |
| Working, no benefits | Best option | ✕ | ✕ |
| On Universal Credit | ✕ Can't combine | Best option | ✕ |
| On Tax Credits | ✕ Can't combine | ✕ | Best option |
| Self-employed | ✓ Eligible | ✓ Check entitlement | ✕ |
Working, no benefits
TFC
BestUC
✕Tax Cr.
✕On Universal Credit
TFC
✕ Can't combineUC
BestTax Cr.
✕On Tax Credits
TFC
✕ Can't combineUC
✕Tax Cr.
BestSelf-employed
TFC
✓ EligibleUC
✓ Check entitlementTax Cr.
✕Note: This calculator provides estimates only. Actual amounts may vary. Please verify with official government sources.
Check the rules before you rely on the top-up
Read the tax-free childcare guide for eligibility rules, reconfirmation deadlines and how the scheme interacts with other support.