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Level 3
posted Feb 16, 2021 12:42:15 PM

How do I report that I accidently used more than the $5000 limit in my FSA-dependent Care accounts to pay for childcare expenses this year?

We had our FSA dependent care through my wife's employer.  She switched jobs however on September 1st.  When that occured, I signed up for my FSA-dependent care during open enrollement through my employer at the same time.  Since I am a teacher, my open enrollment is in August (unlike most).  I thought it would be perfectly timed so that we would hit exactly the $5000 maximum contribution for the year, but it ended up overlapping by one week.  We ended up actually contributing $5,416.64 between the two

0 3 1650
1 Best answer
Expert Alumni
Feb 16, 2021 1:33:36 PM

Yes, TurboTax will add form 2441 Child and Dependent Care Expenses to your return when you visit the Child and dependent Care Credit section and answer the questions.

To report the child care expenses:

  • Login to your account.
  • Select Federal from the left menu.
  • Go to Deductions and Credits.
  • Scroll down to You and Your Family.
  • Scroll down to Child and Dependent Care Credit.

3 Replies
Expert Alumni
Feb 16, 2021 1:00:18 PM

If yourcombined dependent care FSA contributions nonetheless end up exceeding the $5,000 limit, the excess will be reported by the employee when filing the individual tax return (Form 1040). As part of the individual tax return, you will complete Form 2441.

 

You will be asked a series of questions regarding your contributions.  The form then computes the amount of any excess  contributions, which must be reported as taxable income on the Form 1040.  .

 

The excess amounts are merely converted to taxable income.  You would not lose the excess contribution.

[edited 2/19/21 |2:36 pst]

Level 3
Feb 16, 2021 1:05:39 PM

Thank you for the quick response!  Will Turbotax complete the Form 2441 for me or at least prompt me to do it later?

Expert Alumni
Feb 16, 2021 1:33:36 PM

Yes, TurboTax will add form 2441 Child and Dependent Care Expenses to your return when you visit the Child and dependent Care Credit section and answer the questions.

To report the child care expenses:

  • Login to your account.
  • Select Federal from the left menu.
  • Go to Deductions and Credits.
  • Scroll down to You and Your Family.
  • Scroll down to Child and Dependent Care Credit.