Can self-employed parents claim?

Yes if you expect to meet the minimum income threshold over the next three months. During very low-income periods you may need to wait until earnings recover.

How does it work with 30 hours free childcare?

You can use both — 30 hours is separate funded hours at participating nurseries; Tax-Free Childcare tops up fees you pay for additional hours or wraparound care.

What if my income is near £100,000?

Expected adjusted net income over £100,000 for either parent excludes eligibility. Some pension contributions and Gift Aid can reduce adjusted net income; use the HMRC definition and check your figures.

Eligibility · Tax-Free Childcare

Am I eligible for Tax-Free Childcare?

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In short. You may qualify if you (and your partner if you have one) expect to earn at least 16 hours a week at National Living Wage and no more than £100,000 adjusted net income each, your child meets the age rules (normally until the September after turning 11, or 16 if disabled), and you use registered childcare. You cannot claim alongside Universal Credit or childcare vouchers.

Tax-Free Childcare adds £2 for every £8 paid into the childcare account — up to £2,000 per child per year (£4,000 if disabled). Hundreds of thousands of eligible families never open an account. This checker outlines the main rules; confirm on gov.uk before you apply.

Content updated: 12 September 2026

By the Money Guide editorial team · Editorial responsibility: Kaiser Khan, Editorial Director · How we check facts

·Amount: £2 for every £8 paid in — max £500 every 3 months per child (£1,000 if disabled)

You likely qualify if…

Your child is within the age limit: normally until the September after turning 11, or 16 if disabled
You use registered childcare (nursery, childminder, after-school club, etc.)
Each parent expects to earn at least the equivalent of 16 hours/week at National Living Wage over the next three months
Each parent's expected adjusted net income is no more than £100,000 for the tax year
You live and work in the UK (with exceptions for Crown servants and armed forces overseas)
You are not receiving Universal Credit or childcare vouchers

You likely don't if…

Either parent expects to earn under the minimum income threshold (unless on leave or starting self-employment)
Either parent expects adjusted net income over £100,000
You or your partner receive Universal Credit
You still receive childcare vouchers from an employer scheme (cannot use both for same child)
Your childcare provider is not registered with Ofsted or equivalent

How to check and claim

01Use the childcare calculator at gov.uk/childcare-calculator to compare Tax-Free Childcare with 30 hours free childcare and UC
02Open a Tax-Free Childcare account at gov.uk/tax-free-childcare if eligible
03Reconfirm eligibility every three months in the account or payments stop
04Pay your provider from the childcare account — the government adds £2 for each £8 you pay in, up to the cap

FAQ

Can self-employed parents claim?: Yes if you expect to meet the minimum income threshold over the next three months. During very low-income periods you may need to wait until earnings recover.
How does it work with 30 hours free childcare?: You can use both — 30 hours is separate funded hours at participating nurseries; Tax-Free Childcare tops up fees you pay for additional hours or wraparound care.
What if my income is near £100,000?: Expected adjusted net income over £100,000 for either parent excludes eligibility. Some pension contributions and Gift Aid can reduce adjusted net income; use the HMRC definition and check your figures.

Go deeper

← All eligibility guides