FSA childcare reimbursement during COVID?

Hi parents,

The current list of eligible FSA childcare expenses does not include online/Zoom activities. What creative ways are you using to get back your own pre-tax use-it-or-lose-it money given the pandemic restrictions on in-person activities? (Our son is 13, so babysitting isn’t really an option.) Thanks in advance!

Parent Replies

New responses are no longer being accepted.

Our FSA has accepted online activities (camps and classes during the workday) with no issue, so I would not assume that's not an option--it's certainly worth a try! The bigger issue, though, is that you can only use dependent care FSA money for a child under age 13--so assuming you don't also have a younger child, you can only claim expenses that were before your child's thirteenth birthday. There was an option in 2020 to reduce your FSA contribution under a one-time IRS rule change, but unfortunately at this point it's too late to take advantage of that. I would look for any expenses you may have had earlier in the year while your child was still eligible and get as close as you can.