Do you have children who go to day care, or need before- or after-school care? Do you have an aging parent who lives with you and needs care while you’re at work? Are you tired of writing checks to your day care provider? Using a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA) can knock 30% off the cost of day care by reimbursing you with money that isn’t taxed.
The Dependent Care FSA is NOT for your dependent’s health care expenses. It is for dependent DAY CARE needs. You can use this account to help pay for day care that lets you go to work. If you’re married, your spouse must work, be looking for work, or go to school full-time.
-
Contribution limits
A Dependent Care FSA allows you to set aside money before it’s taxed, and use it to pay qualified day care expenses. Expenses can be for your children or a dependent adult who lives with you and depends on you for support. Day care must be required so that you (and your spouse, if married) can work or attend school full-time.
2026: Single or married, filing jointly: $7,500/year maximum Married, filing separate tax returns: $3,750/year maximum
-
Claim deadline
2024 funds must be used within the calendar year (January 1 – December 31). Claims must be filed by the deadline shown.
Use 2024 funds from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2024.
Employees have 30-days from the end of the plan year to submit claims for expenses incurred during the plan year
-
Unused funds carry over?
No.
-
What expenses are eligible?
Generally, eligible expenses include DAY CARE expenses for dependents you can claim on your tax return (children up to age 13, adult dependents incapable of self-care, etc.). The Dependent Care FSA is NOT used for your dependents’ health care needs. A complete list of eligible expenses can be found at www.irs.gov, Publication 503.
Day care expenses for your dependents while you are at work. See www.irs.gov, Publication 503.
-
Can I track my balance online?
-
Click To Download Plan Documents: