Can we get George Osborne on here to explain why childcare is not tax deductible?

[Strix]

And by "tax deductible" I mean working parents should not have to pay any tax (income, NI, etc.) on the income which they use to pay for childcare.

Scrap the childcare vouchers which result in a pension reduction, and just work out what our taxable income is AFTER the cost of childcare is subtracted.

Childcare is after all a cost incurred for the sole purpose of going to work.

And, it would help keep people in work because it would be more affordable for lower and middle earners to actually go to work.

Good idea! Web chat please

Yes please! And also get him to confirm (promise) that he wont touch the 15 hours of free childcare from 3 years. I am having nightmares thinking about that going next...

I TOTALLY agree. Yes, let's get him on here.

(he will NEVER do it.....)

Surely a workable system can be created which can be capped and lesses the chances of it being abused?

(Speaks someone who mays the majority of her taxed income for childcare, on the basis that it keeps me sane and in the job market for when both kids are at school......)

(speaks AS someone..... etc)

I'm in exactly the same position orangina. Have just written my nanny's quarterly tax bill. And had a C**P day at work as it becomes clear that I am becoming increasingly marginalised as a result of having had 4 children in 5 years......fun fun fun

Strix chants

OSBORNE OSBORNE OSBORNE

That should have been 3 children in 5 years............

I am about the pension reduction. Although it is obvious now, I hadn't figured that out.. measly amount you could claim for anyay

Yes yes yes.

Currently trying to work out money our old nursery owes me. It's a nightmare - they've sent me a record of payments, and there are three payments for every single month: my vouchers, DH's vouchers, and cash from us for the rest.

victorvictoria...

Mind you, even if george wanted to do something about it, where is the money going to come from?

(taps fingers and waits for economyrecession/deficit to magically sort itself out....)

It's ain't going to happen any time soon, is it?

Most days I dont care but some days (like today) I want to
i) scream
ii) resign

But then I would be at home looking after 5 year old, 2,6 year old and 9 month old with no help and whould throw away 21 years of experience and hard graft..........

PLUS (really getting going here), being self employed, I don't even have the chane to get or use vouchers. So we are effectively discriminated against in that respect.

(Can feel a long, ranty letter to GO coming on, though I know it will make not a JOT of difference....)

Years ago when I came out of university with study reated debts, I wrote a long, wordy, ranty letter to the then chancellor (who was it? Can't remember now) suggesting that repayment of student debt should be tax dedeductible, or at least the INTEREST payments should be. Got long, wordy (non-ranty), dreary letter back in due course about how it was not practical.

Hmm.

Can relate to that vv (and I only have 2, similar ages to your eldest....)

we've "spoken" before (maybe I was alexh) think you had your last childin the Lindo Wing? Is that right?

Osbourne engaging with people and answering questions about real things?

ludicrious suggestion

It's a good idea. I support it in priciple because it encourages people into work, but there is no money left.

How do you propose to make up the gap in the public finances? I can't be bothered to look up the figures right now but I bet the annual cost to the exchequer would be many many billions.

I have two in full time school and was all ready to drop to an au pair. hurah!! Oh, but wait... baby number 3 on the way. Due 25th December. Happy Christmas Strix, here is the return of your nanny bill... Bugger!

Oh well, looking forward to the cute baby, even if he does seal my fate of bankruptcy.

Tax deductible childcare would be an enormous help!

Yes vv, I remember you ... didn't realise you had had another one quite recently though.... congratulations! you were seeing LR as your consultant?

congratulations strix! And for what it's worth, moving to ap isn't always easy (we tried that one, had a short hideous experience, and are back on the nanny/housekeeper thing for another year.....)

I hate when people say "Where will the money come from?" It comes from my pocket. Just leave it there.

He is cutting off his nose to spite his face because the cost of childcare is keeping people out of work which of course results in them not paying any taxes at all and some collecting benefits.

Does he or doesn't he want people to go to work?

Spot on. I am 42 next week so that's it for me (and for my bank balance). How is PPH doing (if she isnt your sister whicbh for some vague reason I think she was) then ignore!

Thanks, Orangina.

I remember your nanny vs. au pair dilemma.

Well... (gossip alert) I have it on good authority that PPH is a mouldie now.

That's it for me too, was never brave enough to go for #3! PPH is v well thanks vv, you are right on the sister front! Is never on MN though after hooha a year or so ago....