TAX EFFICIENT CHILDCARE SCHEMES

Earlier this year the government announced that no new childcare voucher schemes could be set up after 5 October 2018. This was a six month extension from the previous 5 April 2018 end date. If those employers offering such schemes at 5 October are prepared to keep administering their scheme then they will continue to be available but will eventually be phased out.

The current scheme allows employers to provide vouchers to employees to pay for care of their children up age 16. Vouchers to the value of £55 a week can be provided tax free to basic rate taxpayers with differing tax free amounts for higher rate and additional rate taxpayers.

The replacement scheme is the government’s “tax free” childcare account which started this year for children up to age 12. Under this scheme the government tops up the savings in the childcare account by 25% up to £2,000 per child per year (£4,000 for a disabled child).

Thus, savings of £8,000 would be topped up by the government to £10,000 and the £10, 000 could then be used to pay Ofsted registered childcare providers such as nursery fees, childminders, after school clubs and summer camps.

Unlike childcare vouchers, the new childcare accounts will be available to both employees and the self-employed.

For those already in childcare voucher schemes it may be beneficial to switch to the new childcare account and we can help you calculate whether or not that would be beneficial.

FURTHER INFORMATION OR ADVICE:

If you would like further information or advice about any of the issues raised in this newsletter or any other tax-related matter then Steve Bird would be delighted to hear from you: [email protected]