Apply for Tax-Free Childcare

Use this service to apply for a childcare account.

You can use your account to pay your childcare provider.

This service is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

You can pay your provider with money from your account once the money is shown as ‘cleared funds’. Payments should show in your provider’s account within 24 hours, depending on their bank.

As part of your application, you’ll find out if you’re eligible for Tax-Free Childcare. If you live in England, you’ll also find out if you’re eligible for 15 or 30 hours free childcare. You may find out straight away, but it can take up to 7 days.

If you’re employed or self-employed

You’ll need your details (and your partner’s, if you have one), including your:

  • National Insurance number
  • Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), if you’re self-employed

You’ll also need:

  • the UK birth certificate reference number (if you have one) of any children you’re applying for
  • the date you started or are due to start work (this can be approximate if more than 3 months ago)

If you’re a director

You’ll need to show you meet the minimum income requirements to be eligible. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will try to check this using your PAYE records.

If you do not submit regular PAYE information, you may have to provide evidence to show you are working and expect to meet the minimum income requirements for the next 3 months. This could be:

  • wage slips
  • bank statements
  • a statement from your accountant
  • copies of invoices

If you’re not paid regularly (for example, once a year) you may need to send other evidence to show you’ll meet the minimum income requirements, such as:

  • annual wage slips
  • year end payroll
  • a letter from your tax agent or adviser confirming your salary has been paid and taxed

You’ll need to do this the first time you apply, and every time you reconfirm your eligibility.

Apply for a childcare account

It takes 20 minutes to apply.

Start now

Part of Get Tax-Free Childcare: step by step

  1. Step 1 Check you're eligible

    1. Check if you're eligible for Tax-Free Childcare
    2. Find out what types of childcare you can use

  2. Step 2 Check if you'll be better off

    You (and your partner, if you have one) will have to cancel your Universal Credit and childcare vouchers if you successfully apply for Tax-Free Childcare.

    Before you apply, check if it's the right option for you.

    1. Check if you'll be better off

  3. Step 3 Apply for Tax-Free Childcare

    There's one application for Tax-Free Childcare and free childcare if you're working. As part of your application, you will find out if you can get both.

    1. You are currently viewing: Apply online for Tax-Free Childcare

    If you're eligible you'll get a childcare account. You can use this to pay your childcare provider.

  4. Step 4 Sign in to your account to pay your childcare provider

    1. Sign in to your childcare account

  5. and Reconfirm your details every 3 months

    You must confirm your details are up to date every 3 months.

    1. Sign in to your childcare account to confirm your details