Childcare Voucher Calculator
Instantly estimate your tax and National Insurance savings with the UK Childcare Voucher scheme. Free, accurate tool for nursery, childminder, and after-school care costs.
Estimate Your Childcare Savings
Enter your gross salary, tax band, and weekly childcare costs to get an instant, personalised evaluation of your potential Income Tax and National Insurance savings.
Family & Employment Details
Enter your figures in GBP (£) to calculate your voucher savings
Savings Evaluation
Estimated tax and National Insurance savings
Maximum Voucher Allowances
Statutory maximum monthly childcare voucher limits and potential annual savings per parent (based on current tax and NI rates).
| Tax Band | Max Monthly Voucher | Combined Tax & NI Rate | Max Annual Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Rate (20%) | £243 | 28% | £816 |
| Higher Rate (40%) | £124 | 48% | £714 |
| Additional Rate (45%) | £110 | 47% | £623 |
Childcare Voucher FAQ
Everything you need to know about childcare vouchers, tax savings, and eligibility in the UK.
The Childcare Voucher scheme closed to new entrants on 4 October 2018, replaced by Tax-Free Childcare. However, if you were already enrolled before this date, you can continue to use and benefit from childcare vouchers for as long as you remain with your current employer and meet the eligibility criteria.
Basic rate taxpayers can save up to £816 per year, higher rate taxpayers up to £714 per year, and additional rate taxpayers up to £623 per year (based on a single parent claiming the maximum monthly voucher allowance). If both parents are eligible and claim, these household savings can be doubled.
Yes, if both parents work and their respective employers offer the Childcare Voucher scheme, both can sacrifice a portion of their salary to receive vouchers. This can significantly increase your total household tax and National Insurance savings, provided your total childcare costs are high enough to absorb both allowances.
Childcare Vouchers involve salary sacrifice, reducing your taxable income and saving you Income Tax and National Insurance. Tax-Free Childcare is a government top-up scheme where you pay into an online account and the government adds 20% (up to £2,000 per child per year). The best option depends on your income, number of children, and total childcare costs.