Parent going on maternity leave

[myriamabedi]

Can anyone help with this.I have got a parent with whom childcare is paid by the HMRC(70%),she is soon be going on maternity leave ,will she still be entitle to claim childcare cost while on maternity leave?

[Kirstylob]

No idea, sorry. I wouldn't have thought she could claim though if she's not actually using childcare.

[moggy]

I would not get involved- parent need to work this out with HRMC. I can't see why the Gov would pay childcare while mum is at home looking after a baby... hope it is simple to resolve with a quick websearch or phone call, there will be contact details on the parent's Gov paperwork.

[k1rstie]

Mum wants to continue her current children attending with you while she is on maternity leave with her new children. Many mums do this, but not sure how it works if you are getting your childcare covered by someone else

[bunyip]

IIUC she can continue to receive childcare vouchers through her payroll if that's what she currently receives.

OTOH you may mean HMRC are reimbursing 70% of her childcare costs through the childcare element of Tax Credits. She can only claim TCs based on what she's actually paying for childcare. So if she isn't paying you, then she needs to inform HMRC to have her TCs stopped or adjusted based on the average cost over the year. I'm not at all sure if she can claim TCs based on paying you any sort of retainer fee if that's what you ask of clients to hold the place for them to return to after maternity leave.

Above all, I agree with Kirstie. This is one for mum to sort out with HMRC and under no circumstances should you advise her to do anything but call HMRC or a proper accountant/CAB/tax advisor. In fact it is unlawful for you to advise her over tax matters. If she takes any action which results in her losing money, she could quite easily sue you for giving her advice which you are not qualified/competent to give.

It's very laudable that you wish to help, but in this case you could be digging yourself a hole.