The Fostering Network
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About us

Want to learn more about Fosterline? 

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  • What we stand for
  • Contact us
  • FAQs about Fosterline
  • Job vacancies

Thinking of fostering?

If you are thinking of fostering, we have a range of information for you to explore. 

Learn more
  • What is fostering?
  • Why foster?
  • Who can foster?
  • How do I become a foster carer?
  • Fostering quiz
  • Preparing to foster guide
  • Find a Fostering Service
  • Events

Already fostering?

We have a range of information to support you throughout your fostering journey. 

Discover more
  • Preparing to welcome a child into your home
  • Safeguarding
  • Facing an allegation
  • Celebrating and supporting diversity
  • Caring for a child with a disability
  • Caring for an autistic child
  • Attachment and fostering
  • Fostering legislation
  • Fostering and education
  • Fostering and finances
    • Fostering and tax
    • Fostering and National Insurance
    • Tax and other types of caring
    • Registering as self-employed
    • Completing a tax return
      • Simple method - Qualifying Care Relief (QCR)
      • Profit method
    • Fostering and benefits
    • Free childcare
  • Special Guardianship Order (SGO)
  • Training for foster carers
  • Advocacy for children and young people
  • Contact (family time)
  • Facing challenges
  • Complaints to fostering services
  • Transferring fostering services
  • Terms, reviews, and resignation
  • Fostering with pets
  • Fostering and insurance
  • Leaving care

Resources

We have a range of further resources for both current and prospective foster carers. 

See more
  • FAQs
  • Blog
  • Preparing to foster guide
  • Counselling
  • Other useful organisations

Fostering Services

Learn more about how we can support fostering services.

Learn more
  • Supporting foster carers
  • Recruitment and retention of foster carers

Our locations

  • England
  • Wales
  • Scotland
  • Northern Ireland

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Useful pages

Find a fostering service Types of fostering Fostering and finances Contact us
Home Page Already fostering? Fostering and finances

Completing a tax return

  • Simple method - Qualifying Care Relief (QCR)
  • Profit method

Once you have completed the registration you will be asked to complete a tax return on an annual basis for the period 6th April to 5th April retrospectively.

You will need to ensure that you submit your tax return by 31st October (if you are filing by paper) or by 31st January (if you are filing online) following the end of the tax year.

You will also need to make sure that you pay any tax liability due by 31st January following the end of the tax year.

Women Making Notes

Calculating your tax

As a foster carer, you’re in a unique tax position. You have a choice of methods to calculate your taxable fostering income:

  • The simple method - known as Qualifying Care Relief (QRC)
  • The profit method 


Read our guidance on each method:

Simple method (QRC) Profit method
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