Yes, as long as you use the babysitter while you and your spouse are at work, or looking for work. In addition to day camps and after-school care, in-home care through a babysitter, nanny, or au pair are eligible under a dependent care account. A babysitter would not be covered for any child care assistance outside of care needed while working, or looking for work. Unfortunately, those much needed date nights would not be covered.

The person babysitting cannot be:

• Your spouse
• Your child who is under the age of 19
• The parent of your qualifying dependent (this only applies if your qualifying dependent is your child and is less than 13 years old)
• A dependent claimed on your or your spouse’s federal tax return

When completing a claim form, the participant should substitute the tax ID with the babysitter/caregiver's SSN. Participants can also  submit a recurring claim for services, if needed.