childcare vouchers

[greenfolder]

Does anyone know the answer to my question?

I was in childcare voucher scheme until July 2011, when i left my employer. Next employer wouldnt allow me to join their scheme because i was hourly paid. I am now joining a new employer- will i have to take the hit on the max now being £124 per month or (clutches at straws) could i claim the higher amount as being in a scheme at the date of the change?

I cant find the answer anywhere!

[CatsRule]

We are allowed £243 per month tax free vouchers from dh's work. I though the amount was accross the board and you would be entitled to take advantage if your employer offers the scheme. Mine doesn't unfortunately. We are in Scotland so I don't know if it's different per country or same all over the Uk.

[Finnglas]

As you're a new starter with the company you're subject to the new rules unfortunately - you'd only have kept the protected rights and allowances if you'd have been with the company who you were claiming vouchers with in 2011. You'll now only be entitled to the amount relevant to your tax bracket. I've put a link below to the HMRC website with the scheme rules, but if I'm not making sense drop me a message :)

www.hmrc.gov.uk/leaflets/ir115.pdf

[cogitosum]

If you're a higher rate taxpayer you will only be allowed to get £124 a month as changing employer makes you a new joiner - this would be the case even if you didn't have a break

On another note your employer who wouldn't allow you to join the scheme because you were hourly paid is wrong. They have to make the scheme available to all staff. THe only exception being those close to minimum wage

[bbcessex]

Unfortunely you will be rejoining on the new rules, even though you were in before. I started a new job, joined their scheme, consecutive months, even the same voucher provider and accout number, but 124 instead of 243.
Another example of stealthily taking 'benefits' away imo.