Dependent Care FSA Calculator
Calculate your Dependent Care FSA tax savings under the new 2026 limit -- raised from $5,000 to $7,500 ($3,750 MFS) by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. See exactly how much extra you can save.
Enter Your Details
Adjust values to see instant results
Annual Tax Savings
$2,079.00
Estimated • Based on your inputs
Extra Savings From the 2026 Limit Increase
$347.00
Detailed Breakdown
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Results should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for your specific situation.
How This Calculator Works
Calculation methodology and assumptions
A Dependent Care FSA (formally a Dependent Care Assistance Program under IRC Sec. 129) lets you set aside pre-tax money to pay for the care of a child under 13 or another qualifying dependent so you (and your spouse, if married) can work or look for work. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (signed July 4, 2025) raised the annual limit from a flat $5,000 ($2,500 if married filing separately) -- unchanged since 1986 -- to $7,500 ($3,750 MFS), effective for plan years beginning in 2026. This calculator caps your contribution at the applicable 2026 limit and estimates your combined federal, state, and 7.65% FICA tax savings, plus specifically how much of that savings comes from the extra $2,500/$1,250 of room OBBBA unlocked versus what you could already save at the old $5,000/$2,500 limit.
How to Use This FSA Calculator Calculator
- 1
Enter your information
Input the required values. The calculator is pre-filled with your state's data where applicable — adjust to match your specific situation for accurate results.
- 2
Review default values
Check that the pre-filled state-specific data (tax rates, median values, etc.) matches your local situation. You can override any value to customize the calculation.
- 3
Analyze your results
Review the calculated outputs. Use the breakdown table to understand exactly how each factor contributes to the final result.
- 4
Compare across states
Use the related state calculators linked below to compare results across different states — useful for relocation planning and financial comparison.
Example Calculation
Here's a practical example using this state's data.
The calculator uses state-specific public data and documented estimates where available — including tax rates, median values, and cost benchmarks — to produce a personalized estimate for the inputs you provide.
Result: Results will vary based on your individual inputs. Use this calculator as a starting point, then adjust the values to test different scenarios. The methodology section below explains exactly how each result is calculated.
What Affects Your Results
State-Specific Inputs
Each state has unique rates, fee schedules, and regulatory requirements that can affect results. This page's methodology and source card identify which inputs are sourced, modeled, or user-adjustable.
Income Level
Many calculations are income-dependent due to progressive tax brackets, phase-outs, or income-based eligibility thresholds. Higher income doesn't always mean proportionally higher costs.
Local Variations
State averages may not reflect your specific city or county. Local taxes, fees, and market conditions can vary ±20% from state averages.
Annual Changes
Tax rates, fee schedules, and regulations change. Check the recorded source-review date and verify critical numbers with the relevant agency.
Tips & Best Practices
- Always verify pre-filled values against your actual data. State averages are a good starting point but your situation may differ significantly.
- Run multiple scenarios by adjusting key inputs to see how changes affect your results. This helps with planning and decision-making.
- Compare your results across states using the related calculators linked below — especially valuable if you're considering relocating or doing business in another state.
- Bookmark this page to recalculate periodically as rates change. Check the page source card and review date before relying on a pre-filled value.
- Consult a qualified professional for major financial decisions. These calculators provide estimates based on standard formulas — a CPA or financial advisor can factor in your complete financial picture.
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StateCalc Team
Editorial Team
The StateCalc team builds free financial calculators using data from official government sources including the IRS, U.S. Census Bureau, BLS, and state revenue departments. All formulas are validated by an automated test suite and cross-referenced against published data.
Our editorial standardsFrequently Asked Questions
What is the 2026 Dependent Care FSA limit?
For 2026, the limit is $7,500 ($3,750 if married filing separately), up from a flat $5,000 ($2,500 MFS) that had been unchanged since 1986. This increase comes from Section 70404 of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Pub. L. 119-21), which directly amended 26 U.S.C. Section 129(a)(2)(A), effective for plan years beginning after December 31, 2025.
Is the Dependent Care FSA limit adjusted for inflation every year, like the Health FSA limit?
No. Unlike the Health Care FSA limit (which Congress designed to adjust automatically for inflation), the Dependent Care FSA limit under Section 129 has no built-in inflation-adjustment mechanism -- that is exactly why it stayed at a flat $5,000 for nearly 40 years. The new $7,500/$3,750 limit is fixed in the statute and will only change again if Congress passes a new law.
Can I use a Dependent Care FSA and the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit at the same time?
Not on the same expenses. Any amount you run through a Dependent Care FSA reduces, dollar for dollar, the work-related care expenses you can otherwise claim under the separate Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (IRC Sec. 21) -- the two benefits are coordinated, not stacked. For most moderate-to-higher earners, the FSA's pre-tax treatment (which also avoids the 7.65% FICA tax) tends to be worth more than the credit, but the better choice depends on your income and the credit's applicable percentage, so compare both before electing your full FSA amount.
What expenses qualify for a Dependent Care FSA?
Care for a child under age 13, or for a spouse or other dependent who is physically or mentally incapable of self-care, so that you (and your spouse, if married) can work or actively look for work. Common qualifying expenses include daycare, preschool tuition, before/after-school care, and summer day camp -- but not overnight camp, schooling for a child in kindergarten or above (tuition, as opposed to before/after-care), or a nanny's duties unrelated to childcare.
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