HMRC is reminding parents that they are able to use the tax-free childcare scheme to pay for holiday clubs after it was revealed that a third of parents (31%) feel stressed trying to arrange childcare for the school holidays
The poll run by YouGov for HMRC also found that around a third of parents (30%) worried about balancing their job and school holiday childcare and more than half (54%) admitted they look forward to their children returning to school in September.
Parents, including the self-employed, can apply online for tax-free childcare, part of the government’s childcare choices offer, for children who are under 12.
For every £8 parents pay into their childcare account the government will add an extra £2, up to £2,000 per child per year, or £4,000 for a disabled child. This top up is added instantly and parents can then send electronic payments directly to their childcare providers.
Over 58,000 registered childcare providers including school, football, art and tennis clubs have signed up to the tax-free childcare scheme. Parents that pay into their account regularly can ‘save up’ their allowance and use it for childcare during school holidays.
HMRC is encouraging parents to sign up to tax-free childcare before the end of June in time for next term.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Liz Truss, said: ‘Organising childcare for school holidays is important for parents. Tax-Free Childcare and 30 hours free childcare help make things easier by cuttings thousands of pounds from the childcare bills of working parents.
‘So I hope families across the country visit the Childcare Choices website to take advantage of the offer available from the Government, and enjoy the holidays.’
Parents can find out what help is available on the childcare choices website.
Report by Amy Austin
