Do I need to fill out a 2441 if my W-2 reports Dependent care benefits but I did not use the benefits during the tax year?

[Daboa]

My daughter was born in December and I started paying into a dependent care account before she was born. On my W-2, I have an amount in Box 10 (Dependent care benefits). After filling this out, I was prompted to complete form 2441, but because my daughter was born in December, we did not have any daycare expenses during the tax year. Do I report the amount in Box 10 of my W-2 but not fill out form 2441?

[CynthiaR]

Box 10 is for the dependent care FSA contributions for the year paid by your employer. Unless you have childcare expenses during the year that qualify to offset the amount, then it becomes taxable income.

[Daboa]

I understand that it is taxable income. But I don't understand if that means I need to change anything on my return. For example, does it mean that I should NOT include it in Box 10, even though it appears on my W-2? Or are you saying I just shouldn't fill out a form 2441? Thanks for your help 🙂

[CynthiaR]

You don't have to change anything.  TurboTax will pick up that day care benefit and take care of it and add it to your W 2 earnings.  There is no day care expenses so no need to fill out Form 2441.