The government has confirmed it will introduce a restriction on the level of tax relief available to higher-rate and additional-rate taxpayers who receive childcare vouchers or directly-contracted childcare.
The legislation, announced in the Finance Bill 2011 consultation draft, is due to come into effect from 6 April 2011 and will bring the tax relief for higher earners in line with the amount available to basic-rate taxpayers.
The measure was announced by the previous government in the 2009 pre-Budget report, and by confirmed Chancellor George Osborne in the June 2010 emergency Budget.
Currently, basic rate taxpayers can receive up to £900 a year in tax relief while higher rate taxpayers can receive up to £1,200 of support a year through employer-supported childcare (ESC).
The Finance Bill 2011 draft legislation states: “This reform will make ESC fairer, better-targeted and more progressive.”
Read more articles on changes to tax relief on childcare vouchers
