Tax deductibe childcare: please sign this e-petition

[Strix]

submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/40935

In Europe parents spend an average of 13% of salaries on childcare; 5% in Sweden and 27% in the UK. One way the UK Government can reduce the burden of childcare costs is to make childcare costs 100% tax deductible for all workers. Many UK workers - including the self-employed - do not have access to a childcare voucher scheme (which currently gives basic rate tax payers a tax exempt entitlement of £55/week).

[DowagersHump]

:o Strix

[Italiana]

I am simply following a converstion about c/ms...of course I know there are other types, parents choose what works best for them, highlighting what we do is what I am doing because many parents do not know
Do you feel that people without children should get concil tax reduction so they do not contribute to school funding...or those who do not drive need not contribute to roads?

What is an Ofsted sponsored group hug at the local CoE? you definetely lost me there???
some rather cross people here I feel! take it out on the govt not me...

[Italiana]

Yes Strix I will repeat again and again...i won't subsidise your Free Entitlement and thousands think like me !!

[Strix]

But why should the govt be responsible for your silly posts? I'm sure I can think of a bone to pick with them.... Oh.... I know.... Tax deductible childcare. We could talk about that!

[Strix]

What on the world is my "free entitlement"? I'm not aware I have such a thing. You are the one looking for a handout to support your business. I wonder if the govt would consider paying me to go to work??!

[fraktion]

I suspect free entitlement = funded hours for 3/4 year olds (which incidentally big disadvantage for some providers because they can't offer it).

And at the risk of derailing the thread again yes, nannies do things CMs don't do. Some CMs do things others won't. Parents sometimes don't want to use a particular form of childcare. It's an argument for demand side funding because putting money with the parents increases parental choice!

Consideration of all the different forms of childcare and how different funding types affect them is important. There are various forms of tax relief some of which would mean a sweeping reform of the current system and others which require subtle tweaks.

Deducting a larger amount at source is a simple administrative change. Allowing SE people to buy vouchers before submitting their tax return could work.

Supply side funding freezes out any childcare which isn't a CM or nursery/preschool and makes ad hoc arrangements difficult.

Making childcare wholly tax deductible where for example you pay up front and then get a reduced tax bill the following year would be very complicated.

So on balance strix has the best all round solution even if it's less advantageous for certain types of provider.

[Italiana]

Thank you Fraktion I did mean the 3/4 year old free education (£3.50 ph in my area)
Strix i'd like to reassure you I get no handouts from the govt but work hard to sustain my small business and provide a good service to the parents and the children
Hope your e-petition is successful

[Strix]

So, that would be funded education, not childcare. I accept there is inevitably some overlap. But I know many a primary teacher who believe he/she is not there to provide free childcare at the patents' convenience and feel that likewise the government should not be taking credit for helping with my childcare when in fact is is state funded education.

My children's 3/4 funding was in fact provided by the primary they now attend.

[Strix]

Italiana, you said "I have signed the petition to raise c/vs from £55 to £75 but if you want tax breaks then I want something to help my business too..fair deal?"

So you are looking for govt funding to go into your business (directly). And I think it should go to the parents.

[fraktion]

That would work for SE people but not PAYE. So the fairest system is vouchers or equivalent for those on PAYE and an equivalent amount from the tax return for SE people. Why they didn't build in the option for SE vouchers I will never know.

The issues then arises of whose salary it comes out of but that's between the parents really....

[DowagersHump]

Now I have been forced (by one of my clients) to set up a limited company, I can give myself childcare vouchers.

I've been self-employed for over 2 years but didn't set up the ltd co until the summer. Essentially nothing has changed - I'm still the only person working but I couldn't get CC vouchers before and now I can. How bloody bonkers is that?

[HappyMummyOfOne]

I think the limit should be raised too, however lots of employers are pulling out of the scheme since realising they employees will claim the max vouchers whilst on maternity leave at the companys cost whilst on SMP.

Close this loophole and more would sign up.

Not sure re self employed people being included, creative accounting already leaves most paying little of any tax so probably not worth it hence not being included in the first instance.

[tiggersreturn]

Signed - about 85% of my salary goes on childcare and I'm a high earner. It's utterly ridiculous.

[Softywife]

Petition signed.

I know this is an old thread but the petition is open until July 30th so I'm bumping it up to get more interest.

submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/40935

Good luck with it.