Tax-Free Childcare Top-Up Calculator

This Tax-Free Childcare top-up calculator plans your whole year, not just one bill, so you never lose a quarter's £500 government top-up when your childcare costs change.

Once you've set up your Tax-Free Childcare account, working out exactly how much to pay in isn't always as straightforward as it sounds. The government tops up every £8 you pay in with £2 but your allowance is capped at £500 per quarter, and any unused allowance doesn't carry over to the next period. If your childcare costs vary across the year, getting the timing wrong can mean missing out on government top-ups you're entitled to.

Use this Tax-Free Childcare calculator to work out exactly how much to pay into your account each quarter, taking your full annual eligibility and childcare costs into account so you never leave free money on the table. As a quick example, for a bill of £800, you'd only have to pay £640 into your account and the government would top up the remaining £160. However, most calculators just split one bill 80/20. This one plans your whole year so you never lose the cap, as if your bills are over £833 per month, you'll be at the maximum top up.

Not yet sure if you're eligible for Tax-Free Childcare? Check your eligibility here, or if your income is close to £100,000 it's worth understanding how your adjusted net income could affect your entitlement.

Written and designed by Catherine, founder of Milk & Money, who swapped PhD research for childcare analytics.