We recently offered some important advice to consumers during the Guardian’s childcare clinic , regarding changes to the amount that consumers will be able to save on their childcare after April 2011. The questions from the public were interesting, some challenging, but many showed that there is a clear lack of understanding of the real implications of the April 2011 changes.
What our managing director Iain McMath was adamant to stress was that the only way to secure the full benefits of childcare vouchers is to sign up before April.
Parents who are higher rate or additional rate tax payers who enrol before April 2011 can take up to a maximum of £243 per month, compared to £124 or £97 if they sign up after April. Signing up after this date will therefore mean a potentially huge loss in savings, given the fact that these vouchers can be used for children up to the age of 16.
HMRC offers childcare vouchers as a ‘light touch’ scheme, making the vouchers simple to administer for all parties involved – child carers, parents and employers. Employers can also make a significant saving by introducing childcare vouchers, which is another reason why these vouchers should be offered across the board, to all eligible employees. Our message is simple: as a parent, it is in your interest to sign up now, before it’s too late. We will continue to publicise this message, but employers also need to make their staff aware of these changes, in order to ensure that they receive the maximum benefit from their childcare vouchers, now and in the future. We have set up a dedicated website to help everyone understand the implications of these changes. For more information, please go to: http://www.childcarevouchersapril2011.co.uk/