Exclusion
In general
Gross income of an employee does not include amounts paid or incurred by the employer for dependent care assistance provided to such employee if the assistance is furnished pursuant to a program which is described in subsection (d).
Limitation of exclusion
In general
The amount which may be excluded under paragraph (1) for dependent care assistance with respect to dependent care services provided during a taxable year shall not exceed $7,500 ($3,750 in the case of a separate return by a married individual).
Year of inclusion
The amount of any excess under subparagraph (A) shall be included in gross income in the taxable year in which the dependent care services were provided (even if payment of dependent care assistance for such services occurs in a subsequent taxable year).
Marital status
For purposes of this paragraph, marital status shall be determined under the rules of paragraphs (3) and (4) of section 21(e).
Special rule for 2021
In the case of any taxable year beginning after , and before , subparagraph (A) shall be applied by substituting “$10,500 (half such dollar amount” for “$5,000 ($2,500”.
Earned income limitation
In general
Special rule for certain spouses
For purposes of paragraph (1), the provisions of section 21(d)(2) shall apply in determining the earned income of a spouse who is a student or incapable of caring for himself.
Payments to related individuals
Dependent care assistance program
In general
For purposes of this section a dependent care assistance program is a separate written plan of an employer for the exclusive benefit of his employees to provide such employees with dependent care assistance which meets the requirements of paragraphs (2) through (8) of this subsection. If any plan would qualify as a dependent care assistance program but for a failure to meet the requirements of this subsection, then, notwithstanding such failure, such plan shall be treated as a dependent care assistance program in the case of employees who are not highly compensated employees.
Discrimination
The contributions or benefits provided under the plan shall not discriminate in favor of employees who are highly compensated employees (within the meaning of section 414(q)) or their dependents.
Eligibility
The program shall benefit employees who qualify under a classification set up by the employer and found by the Secretary not to be discriminatory in favor of employees described in paragraph (2), or their dependents.
Principal shareholders or owners
Not more than 25 percent of the amounts paid or incurred by the employer for dependent care assistance during the year may be provided for the class of individuals who are shareholders or owners (or their spouses or dependents), each of whom (on any day of the year) owns more than 5 percent of the stock or of the capital or profits interest in the employer.
No funding required
A program referred to in paragraph (1) is not required to be funded.
Notification of eligible employees
Reasonable notification of the availability and terms of the program shall be provided to eligible employees.
Statement of expenses
The plan shall furnish to an employee, on or before January 31, a written statement showing the amounts paid or expenses incurred by the employer in providing dependent care assistance to such employee during the previous calendar year.
Benefits
In general
A plan meets the requirements of this paragraph if the average benefits provided to employees who are not highly compensated employees under all plans of the employer is at least 55 percent of the average benefits provided to highly compensated employees under all plans of the employer.
Salary reduction agreements
For purposes of subparagraph (A), in the case of any benefits provided through a salary reduction agreement, a plan may disregard any employees whose compensation is less than $25,000. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term “compensation” has the meaning given such term by section 414(q)(4), except that, under rules prescribed by the Secretary, an employer may elect to determine compensation on any other basis which does not discriminate in favor of highly compensated employees.
Excluded employees
Definitions and special rules
Dependent care assistance
The term “dependent care assistance” means the payment of, or provision of, those services which if paid for by the employee would be considered employment-related expenses under section 21(b)(2) (relating to expenses for household and dependent care services necessary for gainful employment).
Earned income
The term “earned income” shall have the meaning given such term in section 32(c)(2), but such term shall not include any amounts paid or incurred by an employer for dependent care assistance to an employee.
Employee
The term “employee” includes, for any year, an individual who is an employee within the meaning of section 401(c)(1) (relating to self-employed individuals).
Employer
An individual who owns the entire interest in an unincorporated trade or business shall be treated as his own employer. A partnership shall be treated as the employer of each partner who is an employee within the meaning of paragraph (3).
Attribution rules
Ownership of stock
Ownership of stock in a corporation shall be determined in accordance with the rules provided under subsections (d) and (e) of section 1563 (without regard to section 1563(e)(3)(C)).
Interest in unincorporated trade or business
The interest of an employee in a trade or business which is not incorporated shall be determined in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary, which shall be based on principles similar to the principles which apply in the case of subparagraph (A).
Utilization test not applicable
A dependent care assistance program shall not be held or considered to fail to meet any requirements of subsection (d) (other than paragraphs (4) and (8) thereof) merely because of utilization rates for the different types of assistance made available under the program.
Disallowance of excluded amounts as credit or deduction
No deduction or credit shall be allowed to the employee under any other section of this chapter for any amount excluded from the gross income of the employee by reason of this section.
Treatment of onsite facilities
Identifying information required with respect to service provider
Pub. L. 97–34, title I, § 124(e)(1)95 Stat. 198Pub. L. 97–448, title I, § 101(e)96 Stat. 2366Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title IV, § 474(r)(6)98 Stat. 839Pub. L. 99–514, title I, § 104(b)(1)100 Stat. 2104Pub. L. 100–485, title VII, § 703(c)(2)102 Stat. 2427Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1011B(a)(14)102 Stat. 3485Pub. L. 101–140, title II103 Stat. 830Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, § 7811(h)(2)103 Stat. 2409Pub. L. 104–188, title I, § 1431(c)(1)(B)110 Stat. 1803Pub. L. 108–311, title II, § 207(12)118 Stat. 1177Pub. L. 117–2, title IX, § 9632(a)135 Stat. 160Pub. L. 119–21, title VII, § 70404(a)139 Stat. 214(Added , , ; amended , , ; , , ; , title XI, §§ 1114(b)(4), 1151(c)(5), (f), (g)(4), 1163(a), (b), , , 2450, 2503, 2506, 2507, 2510; , , ; , (15), (18), (30), (31)(A), (c)(1), (2)(A), title III, § 3021(a)(14), , , 3487–3489, 3631; , §§ 203(a)(1), (2), 204(a)(1)–(3)(C), , , 832; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , .)
Editorial Notes
Codification
Pub. L. 101–140, § 203(a)(1)section 1151(c)(5)(A) of Pub. L. 99–514Pub. L. 99–514Pub. L. 100–647, amended this section to read as if the amendments made by (amending subsec. (d)(1)) had not been enacted. Subsequent to amendment by , subsec. (d)(1) was amended by . See 1988 Amendment note below.
Prior Provisions
section 140 of this titleA prior section 129 was renumbered .
Amendments
Pub. L. 119–212025—Subsec. (a)(2)(A). substituted “$7,500 ($3,750” for “$5,000 ($2,500”.
Pub. L. 117–22021—Subsec. (a)(2)(D). added subpar. (D).
Pub. L. 108–3112004—Subsec. (c)(2). substituted “152(f)(1)” for “151(c)(3)”.
Pub. L. 104–1881996—Subsec. (d)(8)(B). substituted “section 414(q)(4)” for “section 414(q)(7)”.
Pub. L. 101–2391989—Subsec. (a). struck out at end “For purposes of the preceding sentence, marital status shall be determined under the rules of paragraphs (3) and (4) of section 21(e).”
Pub. L. 101–140, § 204(a)(3)(B)Subsec. (d)(1). , substituted “paragraphs (2) through (8)” for “paragraphs (2) through (7)”.
Pub. L. 101–140, § 204(a)(1), inserted at end “If any plan would qualify as a dependent care assistance program but for a failure to meet the requirements of this subsection, then, notwithstanding such failure, such plan shall be treated as a dependent care assistance program in the case of employees who are not highly compensated employees.”
Pub. L. 101–140, § 203(a)(1)Pub. L. 99–514, § 1151(c)(5)(A), amended par. (1) to read as if the amendments by , had not been enacted, see 1986 Amendment note below.
Pub. L. 101–140, § 204(a)(2)(B)Subsec. (d)(3). , struck out at end “For purposes of this paragraph, there may be excluded from consideration employees who may be excluded from consideration under section 89(h).” for “For purposes of this paragraph, there shall be excluded from consideration employees not included in the program who are included in a unit of employees covered by an agreement which the Secretary of Labor finds to be a collective bargaining agreement between employee representatives and one or more employers, if there is evidence that dependent care benefits were the subject of good faith bargaining between such employee representatives and such employer or employers.”
Pub. L. 101–140, § 203(a)(2)Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011B(a)(31)(A)(i), amended par. (3) to read as if amendments by , had not been enacted, see 1988 Amendment note below.
Pub. L. 101–140, § 203(a)(1)Pub. L. 99–514, § 1151(g)(4), amended par. (3) to read as if amendments by , had not been enacted, see 1986 Amendment note below.
Pub. L. 101–140, § 203(a)(1)Pub. L. 99–514, § 1151(c)(5)(B)Subsec. (d)(6). , amended par. (6) to read as if amendments by , had not been enacted, see 1986 Amendment note below.
Pub. L. 101–140, § 204(a)(3)(A)Subsec. (d)(7). , redesignated par. (7) as (8).
Pub. L. 101–140, § 203(a)(1)Pub. L. 99–514, § 1151(c)(5)(B), amended par. (7) to read as if amendments by , had not been enacted, see 1986 Amendment note below.
Pub. L. 101–140, § 204(a)(3)(A)Subsec. (d)(8). , redesignated par. (7) as (8).
Pub. L. 101–140, § 203(a)(2)Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011B(a)(31)(A)(ii), amended par. (8) to read as if amendments by , had not been enacted, see 1988 Amendment note below.
Pub. L. 101–140, § 204(a)(2)(A)Subsec. (d)(9). , added par. (9).
Pub. L. 101–140, § 204(a)(3)(C)Subsec. (e)(6). , substituted “(8)” for “(7)”.
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011B(c)(2)(A)1988—Subsec. (a)(2). , amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: “The aggregate amount excluded from the gross income of the taxpayer under this section for any taxable year shall not exceed $5,000 ($2,500 in the case of a separate return by a married individual).”
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011B(a)(30)Subsec. (d)(1)(B). , substituted “(7)” for “(6)”, see Codification note above.
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011B(a)(31)(A)(i)Subsec. (d)(3). , struck out at end “For purposes of this paragraph, there may be excluded from consideration employees who may be excluded from consideration under section 89(h).”
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011B(a)(14)Subsec. (d)(7). , redesignated par. (8) as (7).
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011B(a)(15)(A)Subsec. (d)(7)(A). , inserted “under all plans of the employer” after second and third reference to “employees”.
Pub. L. 100–647, § 3021(a)(14)Subsec. (d)(7)(B). , struck out “(within the meaning of section 414(q)(7))” after “whose compensation” and inserted at end “For purposes of this subparagraph, the term ‘compensation’ has the meaning given such term by section 414(q)(7), except that, under rules prescribed by the Secretary, an employer may elect to determine compensation on any other basis which does not discriminate in favor of highly compensated employees.”
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011B(a)(15)(B), (C), substituted “a plan may disregard” for “there shall be disregarded” and “414(q)(7)” for “415(q)(7)”.
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011B(a)(31)(A)(ii)Subsec. (d)(8). , added par. (8). Former par. (8) redesignated (7).
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011B(a)(18)Subsec. (e)(6). , inserted “(other than paragraphs (4) and (7) thereof)” after “subsection (d)”.
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011B(c)(1)Subsec. (e)(8). , in introductory provisions, inserted “maintained by an employer” after “onsite facility” and “of dependent care assistance provided to an employee” after “the amount”, in subpar. (A), inserted “of the facility by a dependent of the employee” after “utilization”, and in subpar. (B), inserted “with respect to such dependent” after “provided”.
Pub. L. 100–485Subsec. (e)(9). added par. (9).
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1163(a)1986—Subsec. (a). , substituted “Exclusion” for “In general” in heading and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “Gross income of an employee does not include amounts paid or incurred by the employer for dependent care assistance provided to such employee if the assistance is furnished pursuant to a program which is described in subsection (d).”
Pub. L. 99–514, § 104(b)(1)(A)Subsec. (c)(1). , substituted “section 151(c)” for “section 151(e)”.
Pub. L. 99–514, § 104(b)(1)(B)Subsec. (c)(2). , substituted “section 151(c)(3)” for “section 151(e)(3)”.
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1151(c)(5)(A)Subsec. (d)(1). , added par. (1) and struck out former par. (1) which read as follows: “For purposes of this section a dependent care assistance program is a separate written plan of an employer for the exclusive benefit of his employees to provide such employees with dependent care assistance which meets the requirements of paragraphs (2) through (7) of this subsection.”
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1114(b)(4)Subsec. (d)(2). , substituted “highly compensated employees (within the meaning of section 414(q))” for “officers, owners, or highly compensated,”.
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1151(g)(4)Subsec. (d)(3). , substituted “For purposes of this paragraph, there may be excluded from consideration employees who may be excluded from consideration under section 89(h).” for “For purposes of this paragraph, there shall be excluded from consideration employees not included in the program who are included in a unit of employees covered by an agreement which the Secretary of Labor finds to be a collective bargaining agreement between employee representatives and one or more employers, if there is evidence that dependent care benefits were the subject of good faith bargaining between such employee representatives and such employer or employers.”
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1151(c)(5)(B)Notification of eligible employeesSubsec. (d)(6), (7). , redesignated par. (7) as (6) and struck out former par. (6) which read as follows: “.—Reasonable notification of the availability and terms of the program shall be provided to eligible employees.”
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1151(f)Subsec. (d)(8). , added par. (8).
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1163(b)Subsec. (e)(8). , added par. (8).
Pub. L. 98–369, § 474(r)(6)(A)1984—Subsec. (b)(2). , substituted “section 21(d)(2)” for “section 44A(e)(2)”.
Pub. L. 98–369, § 474(r)(6)(B)Subsec. (e)(1). , substituted “section 21(b)(2)” for “section 44A(c)(2)”.
Pub. L. 98–369, § 474(r)(6)(C)Subsec. (e)(2). , substituted “section 32(c)(2)” for “section 43(c)(2)”.
Pub. L. 97–448, § 101(e)(1)(C)1983—Subsec. (d)(1). , substituted “paragraphs (2) through (7)” for “paragraphs (2) through (6)”.
Pub. L. 97–448, § 101(e)(1)(A)Subsec. (d)(2). , added par. (2). Former par. (2) redesignated (3).
Pub. L. 97–448, § 101(e)(1)(A)Subsec. (d)(3). , (B), redesignated former par. (2) as (3) and substituted “employees described in paragraph (2), or their dependents” for “employees who are officers, owners, or highly compensated, or their dependents”. Former par. (3) redesignated (4).
Pub. L. 97–448, § 101(e)(1)(A)Subsec. (d)(4) to (7). , redesignated former pars. (3) to (6) as (4) to (7), respectively.
Pub. L. 97–448, § 101(e)(2)Subsec. (e)(7). , substituted “shall be allowed to the employee under any other section of this chapter for any amount excluded from the gross income of the employee” for “shall be allowed under any other section of this chapter for any amount excluded from income”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2025 Amendment
Pub. L. 119–21, title VII, § 70404(b)139 Stat. 214
Effective Date of 2021 Amendment
Pub. L. 117–2, title IX, § 9632(b)135 Stat. 160
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Pub. L. 108–311section 208 of Pub. L. 108–311section 2 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Pub. L. 104–188section 1431(d)(1) of Pub. L. 104–188section 414 of this titleAmendment by applicable to years beginning after , except that in determining whether an employee is a highly compensated employee for years beginning in 1997, such amendment to be treated as having been in effect for years beginning in 1996, see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Pub. L. 101–239Pub. L. 100–647section 7817 of Pub. L. 101–239section 1 of this titleAmendment by effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988, , to which such amendment relates, see , set out as a note under .
Pub. L. 101–140section 1151 of Pub. L. 99–514section 203(c) of Pub. L. 101–140section 79 of this titleAmendment by section 203(a)(1), (2) of effective as if included in , see , set out as a note under .
Pub. L. 101–140, title II, § 204(a)(3)(D)103 Stat. 833
Pub. L. 101–140, title II, § 204(d)(1)103 Stat. 833
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Pub. L. 100–647Pub. L. 99–514section 1019(a) of Pub. L. 100–647section 1 of this titleAmendment by section 1011B(a)(14), (15), (18), (30), (31)(A), (c)(1) of effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, , to which such amendment relates, see , set out as a note under .
Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1011B(c)(2)(C)102 Stat. 3489
Pub. L. 100–647, title III, § 3021(d)102 Stat. 3634
Subsection (a).—
Subsection (b).—
Pub. L. 100–485section 703(d) of Pub. L. 100–485section 21 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
section 104(b)(1) of Pub. L. 99–514section 151(a) of Pub. L. 99–514section 1 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .
section 1114(b)(4) of Pub. L. 99–514section 1114(c)(2) of Pub. L. 99–514section 414 of this titleAmendment by applicable to years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .
Pub. L. 99–514section 1151(k) of Pub. L. 99–514section 79 of this titleAmendment by section 1151(c)(5), (f), (g)(4) of applicable, with certain qualifications and exceptions, to years beginning after , see , as amended, set out as a note under .
Pub. L. 99–514, title XI, § 1163(c)100 Stat. 2511
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Pub. L. 98–369section 475(a) of Pub. L. 98–369section 21 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , and to carrybacks from such years, see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Pub. L. 97–448Pub. L. 97–34section 109 of Pub. L. 97–448section 1 of this titleAmendment by effective, except as otherwise provided, as if it had been included in the provision of the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981, , to which such amendment relates, see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date
section 124(f) of Pub. L. 97–34section 21 of this titleSection applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as an Effective Date of 1981 Amendment note under .
Regulations
section 1114 of Pub. L. 99–514section 1141 of Pub. L. 99–514section 401 of this titleSecretary of the Treasury or his delegate to issue before , final regulations to carry out amendments made by , see , set out as a note under .
Retroactive Plan Amendments
Pub. L. 117–2, title IX, § 9632(c)135 Stat. 160
Section 1151 of Pub. L. 99–514Nonenforcement of Amendment Made by for Fiscal Year 1990
Pub. L. 101–136section 1151 of Pub. L. 99–514section 528 of Pub. L. 101–136section 89 of this titleNo monies appropriated by to be used to implement or enforce or the amendments made by such section, see , set out as a note under .
Plan Amendments Not Required Until January 1, 1998
Pub. L. 104–188section 1465 of Pub. L. 104–188section 401 of this titleFor provisions directing that if any amendments made by subtitle D [§§ 1401–1465] of title I of require an amendment to any plan or annuity contract, such amendment shall not be required to be made before the first day of the first plan year beginning on or after , see , set out as a note under .
Plan Amendments Not Required Until January 1, 1989
Pub. L. 99–514section 1140 of Pub. L. 99–514section 401 of this titleFor provisions directing that if any amendments made by subtitle A or subtitle C of title XI [§§ 1101–1147 and 1171–1177] or title XVIII [§§ 1800–1899A] of require an amendment to any plan, such plan amendment shall not be required to be made before the first plan year beginning on or after , see , as amended, set out as a note under .