Claiming child care expenses on my tax return for expenses in excess of the amount reimbursed by my FSA?

[laura7]

We had about $6,500 in childcare expenses for two children in 2018. We spent $5,000 from a dependent care FSA. ls it correct that we can claim $1,000 of our childcare expenses on our taxes? If so, can I just provide information on my return the $1,000 in expenses? Our FSA administrator launched a new website, and I cannot figure out exactly what childcare expenses were reimbursed, but I can come up with $1,000 in expenses that I am certain were not reimbursed. I'm thinking that must be OK.

[Coleen3]

Yes. The limit is $6,000 for two children. If you incurred $$6,500 and $5,000 was covered by your FSA, you still have $1000 of expenses to claim.

[laura7]

I still don't know how to enter the expenses. I entered $1,050 worth of expenses, and it said that we are getting no benefit from this deduction. I changed the amount to $6,000, and our taxes went down. I am wondering if I have to include all our childcare expenses for the year, or just the part that was not reimbursed.

[Coleen3]

Yes, the program will see the FSA amount from your W-2.