Dependent Care FSA
Plan ahead for dependent care costs
Providing care for dependent family members while you’re at work comes with a long list of costs. A dependent care FSA can help you be ready.
What Is a DCFSA?
A tax-free account for dependent care expenses
A dependent care FSA, also known as a DCFSA or DCA, is a flexible spending account that allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars for dependent care expenses such as daycare, summer day camps, custodial care for dependent adults, and more. Contributions are deducted from your paycheck pre-tax, and participants enjoy a 30% average tax savings on their annual contribution.
- Pay for dependent care with tax-free dollars
- Reduce your taxable income
- Helps you budget for dependent care expenses
Contribution Limits
Dependent care account
| Tax Status | DCFSA Contribution Limit |
| Single | $5,000 |
| Married, filing jointly | $5,000 |
| Married, filing separately | $2,500 |
DCFSA tax benefits
| Tax Status | DCFSA Contributions | Annual Savings* |
|---|---|---|
| Married (filing separately) |
$2,500 | $691 |
| Married (filing jointly) |
$5,000 | $1,382 |
| Single | $5,000 | $1,382 |
*For illustrative purposes only. Savings calculations are based on federal tax rate of 15%, State tax rate of 5% and 7.65% FICA. Actual results may vary.
DCFSA forms
We’ve rounded up a list of forms that are especially useful if you’re on your employer’s plan.
DCFSA videos
Still a little murky on the ins and outs of DCFSAs? Check out our videos for more helpful information.
DCFSA FAQs
We put together all of your most pressing DCFSA questions and answers in one place.
Frequently Asked Questions
View All ›Participation in your DCA is also terminated. This means that only expenses that were incurred prior to your termination date are eligible for reimbursement.
It’s best to wait until you have the child to start funding a DCA.
If you have a benefits debit card and your care provider accepts credit cards, you may pay directly from your account. Otherwise, simply pay out-of-pocket and then file a reimbursement claim online with your expense documentation.
The IRS requires appropriate documentation for all Dependent Care FSA reimbursements. When submitting a claim for reimbursement from your Dependent Care FSA, you will need to send one of the following:
- A completed Dependent Care Claim form that your provider signs. The form must include:
- Date(s) of service- The paid date may or may not be the same as the date of care; the date of care is required.
- Dependent’s name
- Description of service(s)
- Dollar amount
- Provider’s name, address, and tax ID or Social Security number
*You don’t need to include additional documentation if your dependent care provider signs the DCA Claim form.
- An itemized statement or invoice from your daycare provider that includes:
- Date(s) of service- The paid date may or may not be the same as the date of care; the date of care is required.
- Dependent’s name
- Description of service(s)
- Dollar amount
- Provider’s name, address, and tax ID or Social Security number
*Handwritten information, copies of canceled checks or credit card receipts will not suffice. If your daycare invoice or statement does not include all of the required information, you must complete the Dependent Care Claim form and have your provider sign.
Your annual election will be divided by the number of pay periods in your plan year. This amount will be deducted from your paycheck before taxes are assessed.
A dependent care flexible spending account, or DCFSA, is a flexible spending account that lets you set aside pre-tax dollars for dependent care expenses. DCFSA contributions deducted from your paycheck are tax-free and remain tax-free when spent on eligible dependent care expenses.
You can use your DCFSA to pay for care for children under age 13 who you claim as dependents, as well as adults or other relatives who are incapable of caring for themselves (if you provide more than 50% of their support).
