Confused about tax credits and childcare vouchers - help!

[abracadabra]

I know it's probably been asked loads before, but I am really confused about the above. Questions basically are a) do you only get help with childcare costs if you are entitled to working tax credit? (I don't think we are entitled to WTC as we have a joint income of around 35 thousand) and b) how do childcare vouchers from your employer affect your tax credits?

Any advice gratefully received!

(a) Yes you do. Me and my partner earn too much for WTC and (b) Yes they do - you have to tell the tax credit people you get them otherwise you could be paying less tax than you should be and they could ask for it back.

Thanks. So could you actually end up worse off by accepting the vouchers?

Yup - that's what I realised pretty early on in the proceedings - not designed for SAHM I suspect.

Unless you work full time like I do. I dont qualify for WTC so I opted for the vouchers.

Sorry, can I just check because I'm really dim on financial matters - it seems that if you are not entitled to WTC the vouchers will always be worth taking up - is that right?

yes that's right

i didn't think that childcare vouchers affected anything - it is money taken off salary before it is taxed, so you save a bit of money - it s not related to how myuch you earn or are entitled to

I am having a problem with my nursery and vouchers. My work uses busy bees vouchers and my husbands work uses care 4 vouchers. My child care costs mean we both need to purchase the vouchers however my nursery wont accept the care 4 ones meaning we are out of pocket. Is there any ruling ie monopoly commission etc to make them accept care 4 as well? (they currently say they will only accept busy bees as it is easier!)
Any advice would be appreciated

no idea, have you spoken to care 4?