Dependent Daycare Flexible Spending Account

A Dependent Daycare Flexible Spending Account allows employees to pay for unreimbursed daycare costs on a pre-tax basis. At the beginning of the Plan Year, employees need to elect to have amounts withheld from their paycheck on a pre-tax basis. When they incur allowable expenses during the Plan Year, they can either use the debit card that is provided to them, or they can submit their allowable expenses for reimbursement. The amount available on their debit card and for reimbursement is limited to the amount that is withheld from their paycheck.

Dependent Daycare FSA Reimbursement Limits

Reimbursement for dependent daycare expenses under the Dependent Daycare Flexible Spending Account may not exceed the following limits:

• $5,000 (if an employee is a head of household or married and files a joint return) or $2,500 (if an employee is married and files a separate return).
• Your tax compensation (after all compensation reduction arrangements).
• If an employee is married, the spouse’s actual or deemed earned income.

For purposes of (c) above, an employee’s spouse will be deemed to have earned an income of $200 ($400 if the employee has two or more dependents) for each month in which the employee’s spouse is (1) physically or mentally incapable of caring for himself or herself, or (2) a full-time student at an educational institution.

Qualifying Expenses Under the Dependent Daycare Flexible Spending Account

Under our plan, a participant will be reimbursed only for dependent daycare expenses that meet all of the following conditions:

The dependent daycare FSA expenses are incurred for services rendered after the date of an employee’s election and during the plan year to which it applies.

Each individual for whom an employee incurs an expense is:

• A dependent under age 13 whom the employee is entitled to claim as a dependent (or a child or other dependent under age 13 whom an employee is supporting but is not entitled to claim as a dependent only because of a written declaration or decree of divorce) on the employee’s federal income tax return, OR
• A spouse or other tax dependent (or child that an employee is supporting but is not entitled to claim as a dependent only because of a written declaration or decree of divorce or who is physically or mentally incapable of caring for himself or herself).
• The expenses are incurred for the care of an employee’s dependent described above, or for related household services, and are incurred to enable the employee to be gainfully employed.
• If the expenses are incurred for services outside the employee’s household, they are incurred for the care of a dependent who is described in 2(i) above. If the expenses are incurred for services inside the employee’s household, they are incurred for the care of a dependent who is described in 2(i) and they are incurred for at least 8 hours per day.
• The expenses are incurred for services provided by a dependent care center (i.e. a facility that provides care for more than six individuals not residing at the facility). The center must comply with all applicable state and local laws and regulations.
• The expenses must not be paid or payable to an employee’s child who is under age 19 at the end of the year in which the expenses are incurred.
• The expenses may not be paid or payable to an individual for whom the employee or their spouse is entitled to a personal tax exemption as a dependent.

For more information regarding the IRS rules regarding Child and Dependent Daycare Expenses click here: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p503.pdf to view IRS Publication 503.

How the Harrison Group helps you with a Dependent Daycare Flexible Spending Account

• Customer Service is our FOCUS – Your employees will need to devote a little bit of time paying for these out of pocket expenses and/or submitting claims for their health savings accounts. Recent studies show that only 44% of employees fully comprehend their benefits. It is critical to select a Dependent Daycare FSA administrator who not only answers the phone but also assists employees when they have questions. We offer considerable resources to provide both onsite and online education for your employees.
• A Partner with Proven Expertise – With over 30 years of experience in the industry, our clients have come to rely on us to partner with them and their health insurance broker to provide the necessary education and benefits plan consultation.
• Concierge Customization – One size does not fit all.  We offer customized solutions to meet your specific objectives regardless of your size or demographics.
• Technological Advances – We offer the latest in industry-leading technology to our clients including a web and mobile application for accurate claims submission.  We also offer online education for employers and their employees.

If you have questions about the Dependent Daycare FSA or other offerings, please give us a call or contact us online.  We will be happy to assist you.

• Dependent Care FSA Eligibility List 
• Dependent Care FSA Information