EIM21902 – Benefits: exemption for employer supported childcare: summary of changes from 6 April 2005

Section 318 and 318A – D ITEPA 2003

This chart compares chargeable and exempt childcare provision before and after 5 April 2005.

To 5 April 2005

From 6 April 2005

TaxNICsTaxNICs

Workplace nurseries

ExemptExemptExemptExempt

Childcare vouchers

ChargeableExemptFirst £50 a week exempt then tax chargeableFirst £50 a week exempt then liable for Class 1 NICs

Other childcare

ChargeableExemptFirst £50 a week exempt then tax chargeableFirst £50 a week exempt then liable for Class 1A NICs


From 6 April 2005, in addition to the new tax exemptions for childcare vouchers and other childcare, new conditions came into force that relate to all employer-provided childcare support. These were:

Availability to all staff

All employees should be able to apply for the childcare being offered by the employer.

The age of the child

A child qualifies up to 1st September following their 15th birthday or 1st September following their 16th birthday if they are disabled.

Registered or approved childcare only

The childcare must be registered or approved.