1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Child and Dependent Care Modernization Act of 2019”.
Child and Dependent Care Modernization Act of 2019
A BILL
To amend the Internal Revenue Code to increase the exclusion for employer-provided dependent care assistance and to allow individuals to carry forward dependent care flexible spending arrangement account balances.
2. Increase in exclusion for employer-provided dependent care assistance
by striking “shall not exceed” in subparagraph (A) and all that follows and inserting the following:
“(i) $8,000 (half such dollar amount in the case of a separate return by a married individual) if there is 1 qualifying individual with respect to the taxpayer during such taxable year, or
“(ii) $16,000 (half such dollar amount in the case of such a separate return) if there are 2 or more qualifying individuals with respect to the taxpayer during such taxable year.”
by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
“(D) Qualifying individual—For purposes of this paragraph, the term qualifying individual has the meaning given to such term under section 21(b)(1).”
Inflation adjustment— Section 129(a)(2) of such Code is amended by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D) and by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new subparagraph:
“(C) Inflation adjustment—In the case of any taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 2020, the dollar amounts in subparagraph (A) shall each be increased by an amount equal to—
“(i) such dollar amount, multiplied by
“(ii) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting “calendar year 2019” for “calendar year 2016” in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof.”
Effective date— The amendment made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2019.
3. Carryforward for dependent care flexible spending arrangement account balance
In general— Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by redesignating subsections (k) and (l) as subsections (l) and (m), respectively, and by inserting after subsection (j) the following new subsection:
“(k) Carryforward—For purposes of this title, a plan or other arrangement shall not fail to be treated as a cafeteria plan or flexible spending arrangement for a plan year merely because such arrangement provides that an amount not exceeding the amount with respect to such individual under section 129(a)(2) in effect for the succeeding plan year may be carried forward to the succeeding plan year.”
Effective date— The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2019.