Tax-Free Childcare Reconfirmation: Deadlines and What To Do If You Miss One
Tax‑Free Childcare requires you to reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months. Missing a reconfirmation can pause government top‑ups. Here’s how the cycle works, what to expect from reminders, and what to do if you miss the date.
How the 3‑Month Cycle Works
Reconfirmation window: You’ll get a reminder to reconfirm in the weeks before your deadline. Reconfirmation takes minutes and keeps top‑ups active.
Pause on top‑ups if missed: If you don’t reconfirm on time, HMRC can pause the 20% government top‑up until you complete it.
Reinstatement: Once you reconfirm, top‑ups resume. You won’t usually get backdated top‑ups for the paused period.
Tips to Avoid Missing Your Reconfirmation
Set personal reminders: Add calendar alerts 3 weeks and 1 week before your deadline.
Keep contact details updated: Ensure HMRC can reach you by email/SMS for official reminders.
Reconfirm early: You don’t need to wait until the very last day—reconfirm as soon as the window opens.
Missed Your Deadline? Do This Next
Log in immediately: Visit your account to reconfirm straight away and resume top‑ups.
Tell your provider: If payments are due, let your provider know you’re reconfirming to avoid disruption.
