Submit Childcare Evidence to HMRC
Summary
HM Revenue & Customs has published guidance on submitting evidence for Tax Free Childcare or Free Childcare for Working Parents applications. Applicants must submit requested evidence within 14 calendar days via an online form to avoid decisions being made on available information.
What changed
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has issued guidance detailing the process for submitting evidence to support applications for Tax Free Childcare or Free Childcare for Working Parents. The guidance specifies that applicants must upload required documents via an online form within 14 calendar days of receiving a request. Failure to meet this deadline will result in HMRC making a decision based on the information already on file.
Compliance officers should ensure that applicants are aware of this 14-day submission window. The guidance also outlines the necessary information for submission, including National Insurance number and the reference from the secure message or letter. Applicants are informed that eligibility decisions are typically made within 15 working days.
What to do next
- Ensure applicants are aware of the 14-day deadline for submitting childcare evidence.
- Utilize the online form for evidence submission.
- Provide applicants with necessary reference details from secure messages or letters.
Source document (simplified)
Guidance
Submit evidence to support your Childcare Service application
Use the online form to send the evidence that HMRC has asked for, to support your Tax Free Childcare or Free Childcare for Working Parents application.
From: HM Revenue & Customs Published 30 March 2026 Get emails about this page Print this page
When to submit evidence
You need to submit your evidence to HMRC within 14 calendar days of receiving a request for it from the secure messaging service or in a letter.
For example, if we send you a secure message on 12 February asking for evidence to support your application, you need to submit your evidence on or before 25 February.
If you do not send the evidence within 14 days, we’ll make a decision based on the information we already have.
Who can submit evidence
The person who applied to be the Childcare Service account holder needs to submit the evidence.
What you’ll need
To use the online form you’ll need:
- your National Insurance number
- the secure message or letter we sent you
- the evidence we’ve asked for in the secure message or letter You can upload a digital copy of the documents we’ve asked for. We may ask you to send the original documents later.
Submit your evidence
Use the online form to submit your evidence. You will need the sign in details you used when you registered for your Childcare Service account.
What happens next
We’ll let you know if you’re eligible or not, usually within 15 working days, either:
- through the secure messaging service
- by letter If you’re not eligible, we’ll explain how you can challenge the decision.
Updates to this page
Published 30 March 2026
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