Government further extends Tax-Free Childcare scheme as result of coronavirus

07 Aug 2020

The government has further extended Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) to 31 October 2020 for parents who may have fallen below the minimum income requirement as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

HMRC confirmed that key workers who may exceed the income threshold for the 2020/21 tax year as a result of working more due to the pandemic will continue to receive support.

The TFC scheme provides families with a £2 government top-up for every £8 they pay into their child's account, up to the value of £2,000 per child, or £4,000 per disabled child. The money can be used towards the cost of qualifying childcare for a child up to the age of 11, or 17 for a disabled child.

Commenting on the matter, Angela MacDonald, Deputy Chief Executive at HMRC, said: 'HMRC has been providing vital financial support to families during a time when it has been needed most, and we will continue to help them as they gradually transition back to a normal life.

'We want to make sure families will not be adversely affected by any abrupt change in circumstances, which is why we have extended available support through TFC to give families that extra boost.'