Childminder fees and tax credits

[kaths101]

Is it true you can claim 75% back off the fees?

I will be working 20 hours a week and a single parent.
I will use the child minder 2 days a week for 7/8 hours, I have 2 children so that will be £7 a hour £50 ish a week so I will only need to pay £13 ish of it??

If its true then it makes working a lot more viable!!

 

[BellaBoo0512]

The best thing to do is ring HMRC and ask them.

 

[Pearls18]

If you google the tax credits calculator that will tell you how much you can get, you can get up to 70% I think it is but it depends on your income, as you're a single parent I would imagine you would get a good amount (unless your wages by yourself are very impressive!!) I always get confused with the minimum working hours, I think for single parents it is 16 hours so you should qualify assuming your income is low enough, but the threshold for childcare element tax credits is much higher than the £26k for the other elements.

 

[Pearls18]

Oh and the childminder has to be registered, you will need to quote their registration number and registration body in order to claim, if it is somebody who isn't a qualified childminder you won't be able to claim.