Could a childminder answer my question re childrens age and tax credits?

[wangle99]

I put this on going back to work but think more appropriate here.

I have DD 10.5 and DS 4. Am considering going back to work pretty much full time gulp (interview on Thursday) but not sure what to do in holidays.

Do childminders take children DDs age? and can you claim tax credit childcare element on a child that old?

Thank you.

Yes & yes

I think it is up to 14 (but it might be 16 - I can't remember)

yes some CM take older children and yes I believe you can claim tax credit childcare element for her - she's not at an age where you can leave her alone!

Yes and yes. Childminders can take children any age and you can claim tax credits for and children you use childcare for. Use www.entitledto.com for a rough calculation.

Thank you ladies you are fab, my friend who is a CM has never been asked about an older child so couldn't help me.

That is fab! Just need to get the job now :O)

Ok, just had another thought can you claim childcare for summer hols? and other hols?

yes and yes. You have to work out an average figure for the childcare used and they pay in evenly across the year.

Yes you work out (39 weeks times TT plus 13 weeks hols divided by 52) a weekly amount

Then they pay you (however much you get) each month - it is up to you to save the extra money to pay for the holidays

Or speak to your childminder & ask her to calculate it that way & you pay her the whole amount each month, so the hols are covered

Thank you ladies you are fantastic!!!!

I wasn't looking for a job this kind of appeared lol!!

KatyMac sorry for sounded dim - 39 weeks times TT? what is TT?

TermTime?

oh sorry said I was dim!!

Have just calculated and it says not able to get help with childcare but not convinced that is right! Thank you for your help!

Reading WTC5 may help with understanding how Childcare element of tax credit works.

Which calculator says you are not entitled to childcare element? Why do you feel you are entitled, when the calculator says you aren't? Could be worth redoing the calculator again, to see if the outcome is the same, making sure all the figures you enter are correct.

Thank you NN, thought should be entitled as income still not going to be great!! From article I read online in newspaper it said families earning up to £50,000 still get some help with childcare - we won't be earning anywhere near that! Will have to see what happens.

If you are much over 30 you won't get much tbh

At 50 with 2 children paying top whack you might get 10p a week or so

I think about 14 is where you stop getting the full amount

Looking at this seems that you lose Childcare Element of WTC, once joint income reaches £41,131

Thanks for that, I couldn't find any figures last night. Our income won't be near that (we are in Cornwall, low income city lol) so will try. Just trying to know where I stand if I do actually get this job gulp

Childcare element of tax credits is capped quite low, certainly at £41k you wouldnt qualify for help - its approx £25k joint earnings for help.