Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

To help you pay for dependent day care expenses on a tax-free basis, Dow offers access to the Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA) administered by Inspira Financial. You can use the DCFSA to reimburse yourself for certain childcare or other dependent day care expenses incurred while you (and your spouse if applicable) work or attend school full-time during the plan year.

As part of our Total Rewards offerings, Dow offers financial assistance to qualifying U.S. employees through a Childcare Assistance Program. Read more.

Make your choice

Other considerations

  • Ask yourself: How much money did I spend this past year on out-of-pocket dependent day care expenses? Do I expect to have similar expenses going forward? Could I use an FSA to pay for and save money on these expenses?
  • You must enroll if you want to contribute. If you are currently enrolled, prior elections will not carry over automatically.
  • Select an amount for convenient pre-tax payroll deductions, up to the limits: $100 to $5,000 (per household)
  • What you do not use you will lose. You will forfeit any unused funds at the end of the plan year. Plan carefully to ensure you do not lose any of your DCFSA dollars.
  • Use your FSA dollars to pay yourself back, tax free. For all qualifying expenses, refer to IRS Publication 503.
  • Remember, only your expenses and expenses for qualified dependents (per IRS rules) are eligible for reimbursement. Expenses for some dependents do not qualify. Learn more.

Maximize the DCFSA throughout the year

Know what qualifies as eligible expenses and be sure to use the tools available for easy reimbursement – including Inspira MobileTM (which allows you to check qualified expenses, see how much you have to spend and submit claims and more on the go). Learn more.

Other considerations

  • What you do not use you will lose. You will forfeit any unused funds at the end of the plan year. Plan carefully to ensure you do not lose any of your DCFSA dollars.
  • Use your FSA dollars to pay yourself back, tax free. For all qualifying expenses, refer to IRS Publication 503.
  • Remember, only your expenses and expenses for qualified dependents (per IRS rules) are eligible for reimbursement. Expenses for some dependents do not qualify. Learn more.

Maximize the DCFSA throughout the year

Know what qualifies as eligible expenses and be sure to use the tools available for easy reimbursement – including Inspira MobileTM (which allows you to check qualified expenses, see how much you have to spend and submit claims and more on the go). Learn more.