Child Care FSA Calculator

Calculate tax savings from a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account.

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated April 2026 · Source: IRS — Forms, Instructions & Publications

$
$

DCFSA Tax Savings

$2,223.75

Child Care Credit

$900.00

Comparison

DCFSA Contribution$7,500.00
DCFSA Tax Savings$2,223.75
Child Care Credit$900.00
Better OptionDCFSA

Use the Child Care FSA Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

How It Works

Routing childcare costs through a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA) lets you pay those bills with pre-tax dollars, which trims your taxable income and lowers what you owe in federal, state, and FICA taxes. The tool estimates how much you stand to keep, using the 2026 contribution ceiling of $5,000 per household, or $2,500 if you're married and filing separately.

To size the benefit, the calculator pulls together your marginal rates for federal income tax, state income tax where it applies, and the 7.65% FICA share that funds Social Security and Medicare. It multiplies the contribution you elect, up to the $5,000 cap, by the combined rate. The product is the income you've shielded from tax, expressed as an estimated total saving.

One feature of these accounts deserves attention: they run on a use-it-or-lose-it basis, so money still sitting in the account when the plan year closes is generally forfeited, grace-period exceptions aside. Estimate your spending with care to avoid locking up cash you won't use. The same expenses also can't feed both a DCFSA and the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, so weigh which path returns more in your circumstances.

Example: Sarah's Tax Savings

  1. 1 Sarah, a single parent, earns $70,000 annually and has one child in daycare. Her federal marginal tax rate is 22%, her state marginal tax rate is 5%, and the FICA tax rate is 7.65%. She plans to contribute the maximum $5,000 to her DCFSA for 2026.
  2. 2 The calculator will sum her marginal tax rates: 22% (federal) + 5% (state) + 7.65% (FICA) = 34.65%. It then multiplies her $5,000 DCFSA contribution by this combined rate: $5,000 * 0.3465.
  3. 3 Sarah's estimated tax savings for 2026 from her DCFSA contribution would be $1,732.50.
  4. 4 This $1,732.50 represents the amount of money Sarah saves on taxes by paying for her childcare expenses with pre-tax dollars. This effectively lowers the true cost of her childcare and increases her take-home pay. This calculation does not include potential state tax savings in states without income tax.

Source: IRS — Forms, Instructions & Publications · Last updated: April 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How much can I put in a Dependent Care FSA?
The 2026 Dependent Care FSA limit is $5,000 per household ($2,500 if married filing separately). This is a use-it-or-lose-it account, so only contribute what you expect to spend on eligible care during the plan year.
What expenses qualify for a Dependent Care FSA?
Eligible expenses include daycare, preschool, before and after school care, summer day camp, and au pair or nanny costs for children under 13. Overnight camp, private school tuition, and food costs are not eligible.
Should I use a Dependent Care FSA or the child care tax credit?
You cannot use both for the same expenses. The FSA saves your marginal tax rate (22-37% for most) on up to $5,000, while the credit is worth 20-35% of up to $3,000 ($6,000 for two children). Higher earners typically save more with the FSA.

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