How much tax credits can I get for childcare?

KaratePigeon

Thanks Mitchaa,
I was starting to regret posting as didn't want to come across as someone who earned loads but still expected benefits. Makes much more sense why I don't feel rich if I'm earning a bit below average

That's what I thought, that the more you spend on childcare, the more help you get with it. But I put our earnings (as £35k I think) into the tax credit calculator, and whether I put in £10pw childcare are or £500pw childcare it still only said I'd get £378 a year, so I'm really confused. Is there an easier to use calculator somewhere, or an explanation of how they work out what you are entitled to?

Indie_Kid

The max they'll pay for one child per week is £175.

KaratePigeon

And thanks for the link Kimitatsu, that wasn't the calculator I used so I'll try that one :beer:

right, that makes more sense, seems like we'd need to spend over £150pw on childcare to get any help with it, which we are not going to do so it's irrelevant really. Techincally the calculator says it's not accurate for us though as my DP is also a full time student, not sure why that should affect anything though?!