Can we have childcare vouchers and tax-free childcare

[umizoomi]

DH and I were both part of a childcare voucher scheme with our employers.

I have recently started a new job so obviously, left the voucher scheme. DH still gets his.

I know the vouchers have been replaced by tax free childcare. I just looked at the gov page and I am confused - it seems to suggest either/or.

Can I have a tax free amount and him continue the vouchers? Considering it was claimed independently of each other previously? Or would DH have to leave the scheme and we do tax-free?

Does anyone know how this works

No you cannot do both.

Which is better for you will depend on various factors, such as childcare cost, number of eligible children, how long you envisage needing childcare for (vouchers can be used for children over 12, TFC stops the September following child's 11th Birthday - different cut offs apply if child is disabled).

The savings under childcare vouchers depends on tax rate DH is on.

Typically I would say vouchers are better IF both parents can claim them and they only have one child. In your case it may be more marginal between which is better if you have one child.
With two or more children in full-time childcare, TFC often works out better.
However you need to do the maths based on your individual situation.

To help you: TFC has a max top up every three months of £500 per eligible child. So the childcare cost over a three month period needs to be £2500+ to get the max topup (you paying £2000, TFC adding £500).

Thanks.

Two DC, one who is almost 11.

We use the vouchers to pay the childminder for after school and for holiday clubs and stuff. It averages probably to about £300 -£400 per month (for both)

The gov calculator implies that vouchers are better but I think this assumes we can both have them. Whicg we can't as I have a new job

Will look into it more carefully

Due to eldest child's age, vouchers may well be better even with only DH getting them.

Checks with his voucher provider as to how much he saves each year in tax and ni. Then compare that to 20% of your youngest child's childcare cost, as eldest will become non-eligible for TFC relatively quickly (September 2019 I guess).