Various Eligible Expenses

You can use your Dependent Care FSA (DCFSA) to pay for a wide variety of child and adult care services. The IRS determines which expenses can be reimbursed by an FSA. While this list shows the eligibility of some of the most common dependent care expenses, it's not meant to be comprehensive. Be sure to check with your tax advisor if you have questions about whether a certain expense is eligible for reimbursement under this program.

Keep Your Receipts

Please save your receipts and other supporting documentation related to your DCFSA expenses and claims. The IRS may request itemized receipts to verify the eligibility of your expenses.

When submitting a DCFSA claim, either have your dependent care provider certify the service by signing the claim form or provide an itemized statement from the dependent care provider that includes service dates, dependent's name, type of service, amount billed, and the provider's name and address along with a completed claim form. Credit card receipts, canceled checks, and balance forward statements do not meet the requirements for acceptable documentation.

Eligible expenses search and results

Displaying expenses 16–30 of 49
Eligible expenses. Each row shows whether the expense is eligible and any documentation needed.
Expense Eligible? Documentation Needed
Dependent or elder care (while you work, to enable you to work or look for work) Eligible with detailed receipt
Educational, learning or study skills services Not eligible
Elder care (in your home or someone else's) Eligible with detailed receipt
Extended care (supervised program before or after regular school hours) Eligible with detailed receipt
Field trips Not eligible
Household services (housekeeper, maid, cook, etc.) Not eligible
Housekeeper who cares for child (only portion of payment attributable to work-related child care) Eligible with detailed receipt
Kindergarten tuition Not eligible
Language classes Not eligible
Late payment fees Not eligible
Meals, food or snacks Not eligible
Medical care Not eligible
Miscellaneous Fees (Diaper, clothing, etc.) Not eligible
Nanny Eligible with detailed receipt
Nursery school Eligible with detailed receipt
  • Eligible with detailed receipt
  • Not eligible
  • Requires prescription from your doctor, plus detailed receipt
  • Requires Letter of Medical Necessity signed by your doctor, plus detailed receipt