Exercise 12-20 (Algorithmic) (LO. 4, 9)

Ava and her husband, Leo, file a joint return and are in the 24% tax bracket in 2022. Ava's employer offers a child and dependent care reimbursement plan that allows up to $4,450 of qualifying expenses to be reimbursed in exchange for a $4,450 reduction in the employee's salary (Ava's salary is $83,600). Because Ava and Leo have two minor children requiring child care that costs $4,895 each year, Ava is wondering if she should sign up for the program instead of taking advantage of the credit for child and dependent care expenses. Analyze the effect of the two alternatives. Assume a FICA tax rate of 7.65%.
Do not round intermediate computations. If required, round your final answers to the nearest dollar.

Click to view Percentage Credit based on Adjusted Gross Income.
a. If Ava and Leo take advantage of the plan, they
would save income taxes because the reimbursement of child care expenses is gross income. The associated with participating in the plan would be $ . In addition, Ava will save $ of FICA taxes due to the reduction in salary.

Alternatively, if Ava does not take advantage of the plan, their child and dependent care tax credit will be $
Therefore, Ava and Leo's income taxes will be $ (higher or lower) if they do not participate in the plan.

b. Assume, instead, that Ava’s salary was $30,000 and Ava and Leo's AGI is $23,750 and they are in the 10% tax bracket.

The income tax savings associated with participating in the plan would be $ . In addition, Ava will save $ of FICA taxes due to the reduction in salary.

Alternatively, if Ava does not take advantage of the plan, their child and dependent care tax credit will be $ . Therefore Ava and Leo's income taxes will be $ (higher or lower) if they do not participate in the plan.