Tax-Free Childcare calculator UK
Estimate the government Tax-Free Childcare top-up for one eligible child over a three-month period, with standard or qualifying disabled-child caps.
Enter your figures
Government top-up for this period
Inputs changed. Select Calculate result to update your estimate.
For one child with confirmed scheme eligibility and an approved provider. Assumes no top-up already used in this 3-month entitlement period. Standard cap £500; qualifying disabled-child cap £1,000. Does not decide eligibility, model free childcare hours or Universal Credit interactions.
How the tax-free childcare calculator uk works
Government contribution = 20% of the bill, capped at £500 (or £1,000). You fund the remaining bill.
UK data and rules
2026/27 data · Checked 16 October 2026. Rules are a dated snapshot, not a live feed.
Read about data coverage and updates
Worked example: tax-free childcare top-up
This illustration uses the calculator’s example inputs. It is not a quote or a recommended financial decision.
- Childcare bill for a 3-month period (£)
- 2,400
- Qualifying disabled-child higher cap
- No
Government top-up for this period: £480.00
Government contribution = 20% of the bill, capped at £500 (or £1,000). You fund the remaining bill.
Tax-Free Childcare top-up: questions answered
Does this tool check whether I qualify for Tax-Free Childcare?
No. It estimates the top-up for a child with confirmed eligibility and a provider in the scheme. It does not decide income, age or other eligibility conditions, or interactions with other support.
Using your result
Example inputs are a starting point. Replace them with your figures and select Calculate result. Results are rounded for display; calculations use unrounded values.
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