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  Tax credits: working out your childcare costs
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  Work out your eligible weekly childcare costs, when to report a change in costs
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  You can claim extra tax credits to help with your childcare costs if you’re eligible. Use this tool to work out what childcare costs you should claim. You can make your claim 7 days before you start paying for childcare.

  If you already claim tax credits for childcare costs and your costs have changed, you can use this tool to work out if you need to report the change to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

  ^When calculating your childcare costs, you can only include costs you pay yourself. You may not receive the correct credits if you provide the wrong amount.^

  You cannot include the following in your childcare calculation:

    - childcare payments from your employer - either in money or childcare vouchers

    - childcare vouchers in return for a reduction in your pay - this is
      called a 'salary sacrifice'

    - childcare payments or grants from a government scheme, eg to help
      you start work or because you are a student

    - childcare costs paid for by an educational or local authority, eg
      free early learning or nursery education
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  Tax credits: work out your childcare costs
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  Work out your eligible weekly childcare costs, when to report a change in costs
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  You can calculate your childcare costs to report to the Tax Credit Office.

  If you already claim tax credits and your childcare costs have changed, [you might need to report the change](/changes-affect-tax-credits).

  ^Tax credits have been replaced by Universal Credit for most people. [Check if you can make a new claim for tax credits](/claim-tax-credits).
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  You must include the childcare costs you pay in total, even if you have more than one child.

  Normally the more childcare costs you pay, the more Child Tax Credit you’ll get.

  You should not include:

  - childcare payments from your employer, in money or childcare vouchers
  - childcare vouchers from your employer in return for a ‘salary sacrifice' (a reduction in your pay)
  - childcare payments or grants from a government scheme, for example to help you start work or because you're a student
  - childcare costs paid by an educational or local authority, for example free early learning or nursery education
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