I recently started a new job that offered a benefit I have not had before: flexible spending accounts for dependent care. The brochure said it could be used for babysitters and summer day camps, so I signed up to have $1,000 of my income diverted to the account, tax free. I figured we would use that money going out twice a month plus summer camp. Now the benefit year has started and I've gotten the complete account agreement. I noticed a restriction that I hadn't seen before: the dependent care is provided so either my wife or I can work, or so my wife can go to school full-time, or she is incapable of self care. My wife does not work (she would disagree but you know what I mean) and takes only one college class at a time (i.e. far from full time). Neither of us would be working on the evenings we would have a babysitter. Nor would she be working when the children are at summer day camp. Although the time for changing benefits is past, is the company allowed to cancel a flexible spending account? If there's a chance, I'll ask for it, but if there's no chance I don't want to rock the boat. If we're stuck with the account, then how can we salvage the money we are putting into it? I have a documented prior interest in screenwriting, so could a movie date be considered work-related? If either one of us writes restaurant reviews and tries to sell them (successful or not), could a dinner date be considered work-related? Other ideas? Thanks, Ed
- posted
17 years ago