Tax free childcare

[sammielk]

I’ve set up the Tax Free childcare & I’ve never been more confused.

I logged in last night and tried to add money to my account. I sent it to account name: Tax Free Childcare, using the acc number, sort code & payment ref supplied. It said all of the details matched etc. It took the payment, and then today it refunded the money back to my bank account?

So I read something else on the Tax free childcare page that said to send money to the childcare service account, that I needed to use account name: NS&I TFC Account. I have just done this and there’s still no money in my account. Have I sent this directly to the nursery when I wasn’t meant to?

Can someone explain this all to me please!

I paid mine in using my debit card, I also had issues with the bank transfer option

Have you used the reference number they provided you with? I think it’s on the original confirmation message and it’s always the same one

I couldn’t send it from my HSBC account, it had to go from my Monzo account. It just wouldn’t accept the details for it. Very annoying

The system is a bit of a pain and I wonder if they make it deliberately painful so people don’t bother with it! But it does save a good chunk of money so it’s worth the hassle.

I find it easier to pay in by debit card. They try to dissuade you saying it takes 2 days to clear but I just set up the childcare payment for 3 days ahead and it’s fine. It’s does save enough money to be worth the hassle!