Child care tax credits

hueygeorge

Hi All
I split up with my BF in March so started claiming childcare credits from then - previously my daughter went to Nursery for 2 afternoons and he then looked after her as I work f/t. Since our split the Nursery have tried to fit her in f/t but it was only last week that a f/t place became available. I have rang HMRC everytime her time at Nursery has changed - she has gone from 2 afternoons to 2 full days, to 3 full days, to 4 full days and finally a f/t place - the Nursery is busy and this has all been dependant on other children leaving etc. I work in a school so she will only do one full day from w/c 22nd July as I am off for 6 weeks. I am aware that I need to ring HMRC again and inform them of this change, which I will do, but my question is, do I need to work out the average cost now of my childcare from now until next Apr, considering she now has a f/t place at Nursery? This was something I could never do before as her time at Nursery was changing all the time until a f/t place became available. I want to keep everything above board and don't want to be landed with a massive overpayment next April. Any advice please?! Thanks all - you are stars for the info you give! x

Icequeen99

hueygeorge wrote: »

Hi All
I split up with my BF in March so started claiming childcare credits from then - previously my daughter went to Nursery for 2 afternoons and he then looked after her as I work f/t. Since our split the Nursery have tried to fit her in f/t but it was only last week that a f/t place became available. I have rang HMRC everytime her time at Nursery has changed - she has gone from 2 afternoons to 2 full days, to 3 full days, to 4 full days and finally a f/t place - the Nursery is busy and this has all been dependant on other children leaving etc. I work in a school so she will only do one full day from w/c 22nd July as I am off for 6 weeks. I am aware that I need to ring HMRC again and inform them of this change, which I will do, but my question is, do I need to work out the average cost now of my childcare from now until next Apr, considering she now has a f/t place at Nursery? This was something I could never do before as her time at Nursery was changing all the time until a f/t place became available. I want to keep everything above board and don't want to be landed with a massive overpayment next April. Any advice please?! Thanks all - you are stars for the info you give! x

You need to work out your estimated costs over the next 52 weeks and then see if that is more than £10 different to your current costs. If it is then you need to report it. It is over 52 weeks from now, not until April.

Use this calculator to help you work out the figure and keep a print out of it. You should do the calculator often to make sure there are no large changes.

https://www.gov.uk/childcare-costs-for-tax-credits

hueygeorge

Thank you Ice Queen - you've given me loads of advice! Ah right, I assumed it was from now until Apr - such a bloody nightmare this claiming for childcare costs, especially when the cost per week has been changing so regularly - thanks for that - I'll work it out and ring them x