https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 08 Jul 2026 09:48:35 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/suggestions-for-using-fsa-dependent-care-funds#post-2540262 Tue, 03 May 2016 20:17:47 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2540262@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We actually ended up enrolling him in another preschool, so we were able to use the funds up. It is definitely tricky when hiring someone imdividually! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/suggestions-for-using-fsa-dependent-care-funds#post-2540256 Tue, 03 May 2016 20:13:16 +0000 Plumeria 2540256@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lion: So what did you end up doing? We have hired some part time help and I'm trying to figure out how to get funds out of my FSA account. Our part time help was paid less than $1800 so it makes me exempt from paying taxes. I got her SS number and we paid her by check. </p> <p>I need to look into it further. On one hand, I would benefit from using the FSA funds but she would have to report it. Or I could not use the FSA funds and she gets paid under the table. </p> <p>I think I need to be clear with anyone I hire in the future that I will need their SS # and the government may see this income. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/suggestions-for-using-fsa-dependent-care-funds#post-2301149 Thu, 24 Sep 2015 16:00:10 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 2301149@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think caregivers only have to claim the income if you pay them $1200 or more in a year, so if you are only looking at $300 then you are fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/suggestions-for-using-fsa-dependent-care-funds#post-2300873 Thu, 24 Sep 2015 12:51:06 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2300873@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jape14: Yes! I just looked and Marbles does have camps this winter break. I wonder if they will take him as a 2 year old! </p> <p>@mamabolt: The only expenses we have had are for our part time in home and we didn't have an agreement to claim any of that so I would hate to do that to her later on. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/suggestions-for-using-fsa-dependent-care-funds#post-2300860 Thu, 24 Sep 2015 12:43:03 +0000 mamabolt 2300860@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Did you already claim all the previous daycare expenses you had? You can go back and claim something from previously in the year if you haven't. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/suggestions-for-using-fsa-dependent-care-funds#post-2300853 Thu, 24 Sep 2015 12:37:53 +0000 jape14 2300853@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lion: am I right that you are in the Triangle? I'm pretty sure Marbles in downtown Raleigh has preschool camps for days off - maybe over Winter break? They may require potty training, though. also, I think White Memorial Presbyterian (and maybe some other churches, too) do single-day MMO programs during the summer - it's possible you could find some fall or winter ones as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/suggestions-for-using-fsa-dependent-care-funds#post-2300842 Thu, 24 Sep 2015 12:30:06 +0000 BandDmommy 2300842@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lion: I sent my son to camp at local kids play club. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/suggestions-for-using-fsa-dependent-care-funds#post-2300821 Thu, 24 Sep 2015 12:20:55 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2300821@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Truth Bombs: yes, this person would definitely have to claim the income. I would need her ssn to file for the funds. that's all I need other than a receipt...I just dont know if I will find anyone who is willing to claim the income. </p> <p>@BandDmommy: what kind of camps? I haven't found anything for kids under 3 but maybe I should keep looking! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/suggestions-for-using-fsa-dependent-care-funds#post-2300814 Thu, 24 Sep 2015 12:12:46 +0000 BandDmommy 2300814@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lion: what about a camp? I sent my son to a bunch of camps this summer. My guess is there will be some camps around fall and winter break. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/suggestions-for-using-fsa-dependent-care-funds#post-2300810 Thu, 24 Sep 2015 12:10:41 +0000 Truth Bombs 2300810@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine only requires a signature and a TIN. But I would be careful about just paying a babysitter to watch the kids while you work, because I assume it's going to be a problem if you are claiming to pay the person under that tax ID, but they are not then reporting the income on their own tax return. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/suggestions-for-using-fsa-dependent-care-funds#post-2300805 Thu, 24 Sep 2015 12:06:29 +0000 regberadaisy 2300805@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine requires a reciept with tax ID number. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/suggestions-for-using-fsa-dependent-care-funds#post-2300797 Thu, 24 Sep 2015 12:05:07 +0000 sapphire 2300797@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms.Badger: might not require the documentation at the time but if your taxes were audited....just like you can use your HSA card at Mordstrom for new shoes but if you're audited you'll be in big trouble. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/suggestions-for-using-fsa-dependent-care-funds#post-2300795 Thu, 24 Sep 2015 12:03:58 +0000 Mamaof2 2300795@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just an FYI our FSA requires a signature stating the services were given and the amount OR a TIN.</p> <p>So I would imagine you could use it for a babysitter! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/suggestions-for-using-fsa-dependent-care-funds#post-2300781 Thu, 24 Sep 2015 11:59:07 +0000 blackbird 2300781@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think you can hire a babysitter! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/suggestions-for-using-fsa-dependent-care-funds#post-2300770 Thu, 24 Sep 2015 11:50:33 +0000 Ms.Badger 2300770@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Could you pay family? FWIW, our FSA asked us no questions (except her name) about our (totally legit) nanny to get the money out. So you could just try and see how much documentation yours requires. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/suggestions-for-using-fsa-dependent-care-funds#post-2300765 Thu, 24 Sep 2015 11:47:54 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2300765@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurplePeony: this is the problem I'm running into. I cant find any drop off programs that aren't full day or full year enrollment. lots of classes are acailable but those don't qualify because I can't work if I'm there in the clsss. i was hoping someone might have a creative solution :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/suggestions-for-using-fsa-dependent-care-funds#post-2300722 Thu, 24 Sep 2015 10:56:33 +0000 PurplePeony 2300722@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would just add to what @BandDmommy said that you'll have to provide the caregiver's SSN/TIN in order to get the money out of your account, so if you decide to use a nanny or babysitter, they'll have to claim it on their taxes. Usually not a big deal for preschools, licensed daycares, etc but it might be harder if you're just trying to find a sitter for a few hours to use up the money. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/suggestions-for-using-fsa-dependent-care-funds#post-2300655 Thu, 24 Sep 2015 10:09:09 +0000 BandDmommy 2300655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Here you go... <a href="http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/personalfinance/lifeevents/benefits/dependentFSAs.php" rel="nofollow">http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/personalfinance/lifeevents/benefits/dependentFSAs.php</a></p> <p>Expenses for care of a qualified dependent are only eligible if the care enables you (or you and your spouse) to work, look for work, or go to school full-time. If your spouse is a stay-at-home mom or dad, you cannot participate in Dependent care FSAs. Eligible expenses include:<br /> Fees for licensed day care or adult care facilities.<br /> Amounts paid for services (including babysitters or nursery school) – provided in or outside of your home – for the care of a qualified dependent necessary to allow you and your spouse to work, look for work, or attend school full-time.<br /> Placement fees for a dependent care provider, such as an au pair.<br /> Summer day camp for children under age 13 qualifies if attendance allows you and your spouse to work, look for work, or for your spouse to attend school full-time.<br /> Before and after school care programs for dependents under age 13.<br /> Payment to a relative (age 19 or older who is not your dependent) who cares for your qualified dependent.<br /> Payment to a housekeeper whose duties also include dependent day care </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/suggestions-for-using-fsa-dependent-care-funds#post-2300651 Thu, 24 Sep 2015 10:06:30 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2300651@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I posted a couple weeks ago about a situation with my son's preschool. We decided it wasn't a good fit and pulled him out, and fortunately the school refunded our money! At the same time we discovered that this year paying for a high quality preschool program just isn't in our budget, so we are going to skip preschool this year and look into adjusting our budget for next year. </p> <p>However, we have $300 in our FSA dependent care account to use, since we had planned on using that money to pay for preschool. Fortunately we were able to stop the deductions (withdrawing from preschool was a qualifying event), but now we have to use that money or lose it. </p> <p>I tried a drop in childcare center today and it was AWFUL! There were 10 children (2 of them 7 months or younger and the rest toddlers, under 4) and the 5 month old baby was sitting in a bouncer on a table facing a tv and an older child was bouncing her (forcfully enough that it made me gasp and ask the staff person about it...turns out it was her kid and "oh, she's fine!". There was only one staff there at the time (the manager left to take her child to school?!?) and she was checking kids in and out and had her back to the room full of toddlers. I panicked a little, but I left them there anyway....and then returned less than 10 minutes later after talking to a friend that assured me that no, these things were not ok and I was not overreacting. </p> <p>Anyway, all that to say drop in centers are out for me right now. Enrolling in preschool is out. Does anyone have any other suggestions for how we could use these funds up? I hate for them to go to waste. </p>