🧒 Dependent Care FSA Calculator

A dependent care FSA calculator shows your tax savings from paying childcare or elder care pre-tax. Enter your election, filing status, tax rate, and care expenses to see your annual savings under the new 2026 limit of $7,500 — nearly triple the savings possible before the 2026 increase.

🇺🇸 Calculating for United States

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Dependent care FSA details

Annual DCFSA election

Filing status

Marginal tax rate (%)

Annual care expenses (daycare, camps, elder care)

2026 limits verified 2026-07-27 against One Big Beautiful Bill Act (2025), IRC § 129

Annual tax savings from your dependent care FSA

$1,800.00

Electing $7,500.00 pre-tax at a 24% marginal rate

2026 election limit

$7,500.00

At risk of forfeiture (no carryover)

$0.00

📌 The 2026 limit of $7,500 ($3,750 married filing separately) is the first increase since 1986, enacted by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Your employer's plan must be amended to allow the higher amount — check with HR before electing above $5,000.

Dependent care FSAs cover care that lets you (and your spouse) work: daycare, preschool, before/after-school programs, day camps, and elder daycare for a dependent adult. Unlike a health FSA, there is no carryover — unspent funds are forfeited. Compare against the federal Child and Dependent Care Credit; you cannot use the same expenses for both.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the dependent care FSA limit for 2026?▾

The 2026 limit is $7,500 per household ($3,750 for married filing separately) — raised from $5,000 by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, effective January 1, 2026. It is the first increase since 1986 and is not indexed for inflation.

What expenses qualify for a dependent care FSA?▾

Care that enables you (and your spouse) to work: daycare, preschool, nanny wages, before/after-school programs, summer day camps, and adult daycare for a dependent who cannot self-care. Overnight camps, kindergarten tuition, and babysitting for non-work reasons do not qualify.

Dependent care FSA or the child care tax credit — which is better?▾

For most households in the 22%+ bracket, the FSA saves more because it also avoids 7.65% FICA tax. Lower-income families may do better with the Child and Dependent Care Credit. You cannot claim both for the same dollars of expense.

Does a dependent care FSA have a carryover?▾

No. Dependent care FSAs are strict use-it-or-lose-it — unspent funds at the plan-year deadline (plus any grace period your plan offers) are forfeited. Elect conservatively against expenses you are certain to incur.

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Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates and not financial advice. Consult a licensed financial advisor before making financial decisions.