Tax free childcare is here

All working parents with children up to the age of 12 can now apply for the Government's tax-free childcare scheme, HMRC has confirmed. Parents who meet the scheme's requirements can open an account online - that is then topped up by Government contributions. This is an extra 20p for every 80p paid in - hence the name 'tax free'. However, this has previously been capped for children up to the age of nine. The programme gives eligible parents or guardians up to £2,000 free per child towards childcare costs each year.