During open enrollment for 2017 benefits, an employee elected to have $25 withheld to be contributed to a flexible spending account for medical expenses. However, he inadvertently checked the wrong box and signed up for dependent care account withholding instead. At the time of the election, he did not even have any dependents that qualified for dependent care, as both of his children were over the age of 13. I told him to contact his employer but they have not offered a solution. Anyone know of a solution to this problem? Is he out the $1,000 contributed to his dependent care account or is there a way to switch it over to a FSA account? Or can he get the money back from the IRS less the taxes he would owe since it is not being used for a pre-tax expense?
Thank you for any assistance.