is this true

[mumof2children]

following on from thebrightside post about her sister.

my friend is a Childminder, and she said that from 18 the childminder would have to be registered and any money made should be declared for tax reasons.

is this true

Well surely it is?

A CM has to be registered as I understand it, unless maybe they are helping out a pal on a casual basis )I looked after a friend's DC for a couple of days over the summer, but of course wasn't paid!)

And yes money needs to be declared, that'll be the law then, and a good thing too, keeps us all in schools and hospitals etc.

You only need to be registered if you are looking after the child in your home. If you are babysitting at the child's home then you don't need to be registered.

"According to the Childcare Act, carers who are not a close family member also do not have to register if:

The childcare takes place in the parents' home
or it only takes place between 1800 and 0200
or the childcare takes place fewer than two hours a day, or 14 days a year. "

As for declaring the cash - if the 18 year old is still in full time education they are tax exempt. If not, I doubt the odd night babysitting gig is going to take her over her tax threshold!

Ummm... since when are children / adults in full time education tax exempt? They're not as far as I know. Everyone has to pay tax IF their total income for the tax year exceeds tax thresholds (£6,475 this current tax year).

If you are a full time student it's unlikely you will earn your tax threshold, therefore there is a form you can fill in to exempt you from the outset rather than having to claim it back afterwards.

Just to clarify... it's unlikely you'll earn your tax threshold as if you're studying full time you'd have to have a very well paid job to earn above your tax threshold and fully participate in your education. (this is not my personal assumption but the tax office)

That I agree with but you can't say that they're exempt outright since there are plenty of 18-year-olds who have inherited property and/or cash etc and have to pay tax on their rental income and savings.