HMRC has expanded the Tax-Free Childcare scheme to parents whose youngest child is under 9, or who turned 9 on 15 January 2018.
The scheme, which aims to support working parents with the cost of childcare, offers up to £2,000 of support per child per year, or £4,000 for disabled children.
Parents can apply for Tax-Free Childcare by visiting Childcare Choices. This service helps parents to choose which support is best for them, including highlighting childcare vouchers offered by employers. However, childcare vouchers are due to be closed to new joiners from April 2018.
Tax-Free Childcare will be further extended to all remaining eligible families with children under 12 on 14 February 2018. This will enable parents to apply for the support before the end of this financial year.