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.

Useful Links

Log in to your childcare account: GOV.UK Tax‑Free Childcare sign‑in