To help plan the amount of your DCAAccount contribution, use this worksheet. You may want to look at what you spent for dependent care last year before deciding how much to contribute in the new Plan Year.
If you are enrolling during the open enrollment period, use the chart below to estimate your expenses for the next calendar year. If you are joining the program during the year (that is, after the open enrollment period is over), use the chart to estimate your expenses for the remainder of the calendar year.
IRS regulations state that whether an expense is eligible or not will depend upon the facts and circumstances of each case.
Disabled dependent care is eligible regardless of whether it is provided inside or outside your home, as long as the dependent resides with you at least 8 hours a day.
Household services, such as a cook or housekeeper, are eligible if the services are provided, in part, to a person who qualifies as a dependent and are provided to enable you and your spouse to work.
Most transportation costs are not eligible for reimbursement. Transportation costs may be reimbursable if the services are needed to transport your dependent to his/her care provider (such as bus or van services, or other contractual arrangements) and the costs are paid directly to the care provider as part of the fee for care. Consult your tax advisor if you need assistance regarding your specific situation.