Tax-Free Childcare Calculator — How Much Will the Government Pay? — UK 2026
Calculate your Tax-Free Childcare entitlement. The government tops up every £8 you pay with £2 giving up to £2000 per child per year toward childcare.
Tax-Free Childcare is a UK government scheme that tops up your childcare payments by 25%. For every £8 you deposit into your childcare account the government adds £2 up to a maximum of £2000 per child per year (£4000 for disabled children). The scheme is available to working parents earning at least the National Minimum Wage for 16 hours per week but less than £100000 per year each.
How much will I get from Tax-Free Childcare?
If you spend £10000 per year on childcare the government adds £2000 making your total childcare budget £12000 while you only pay £10000. The maximum government contribution is £2000 per child per year (£500 per quarter). To get the full £2000 you need to spend £8000 on childcare annually through the scheme.
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Tax-Free Childcare Calculator
How to Use This Calculator
Enter your values in the fields above and the calculator will compute results instantly as you type. You can adjust any input to compare different scenarios. All calculations happen in your browser — no data is sent to any server and nothing is stored. Use the share buttons below the results to save or send your calculations via WhatsApp, Twitter, or by copying the link. For related calculations, check the suggested tools in the "What to calculate next" section below.
Key Information
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Government Top-Up Rate | 25% (£2 for every £8) |
| Maximum Annual Top-Up | £2000 per child |
| Maximum for Disabled Child | £4000 per child |
| Eligibility Income Cap | £100000 per parent |
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Use Calculator NowFrequently Asked Questions
How much will I get from Tax-Free Childcare?
If you spend £10000 per year on childcare the government adds £2000 making your total childcare budget £12000 while you only pay £10000. The maximum government contribution is £2000 per child per year (£500 per quarter). To get the full £2000 you need to spend £8000 on childcare annually through the scheme.
Tax-Free Childcare vs 30 hours free which is better?
You cannot use both for the same child at the same time. The 30 hours free childcare (for 3-4 year olds of working parents) is worth approximately £6000-£8000 per year which is significantly more than the £2000 Tax-Free Childcare cap. However Tax-Free Childcare covers children from birth to 11 while 30 free hours only applies from age 3.
How to apply for Tax-Free Childcare?
Apply through the gov.uk childcare service website. You need a Government Gateway account. Both parents must be working (or expecting to start work within 31 days) and each earning at least the National Minimum Wage for 16 hours weekly. Self-employed parents qualify if they meet the earnings threshold. Reconfirm eligibility every 3 months.
Are these calculators free to use?
Yes, all calculators on CalcCorp are completely free — no registration, no login, no hidden charges. Results are calculated instantly in your browser and we do not store any of your data.
How accurate are these calculations?
Our calculators use standard financial formulas updated with the latest tax rates, interest rates, and government policies for 2026. Results are accurate for planning purposes but should be verified with a professional for final decisions.
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Last updated: March 2026