Can I use my HSA debit card for anything?
Asked by: Christy Kuhlman | Last update: July 25, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (33 votes)
Can I buy groceries with my HSA card?
No, you can't use your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) for straight food purchases like meat, produce and dairy. But you can use them for some nutrition-related products and services. To review, tax-advantaged accounts have regulatory restrictions on eligible products and services.
What happens if I use my HSA card for non-medical?
If used for other expenses, the amount withdrawn will be taxable as income but will not be subject to any other penalties. Individuals under age 65 who use their accounts for non-qualified medical expenses must pay income tax and a 20% penalty on the non-qualified withdrawal.
Can I use my HSA card for regular purchases?
It's your money, so using your HSA for non-medical expenses is an option. But what happens if you use your HSA for non-medical expenses? Here's what to consider. Any withdrawn funds that are not used for eligible medical expenses are included in gross income and may be subjected to taxation.
What can I not use my HSA card for?
Other items that aren't eligible include maternity clothes, funeral costs, child care for healthy babies, toiletries, over-the-counter medicine, swimming lessons and elective cosmetic procedures. You also usually can't use HSA money to pay for health insurance premiums unless you meet certain criteria.
What Can the HSA Debit Card Buy? (What Can You Purchase with HSA Funds?)
Can I use my HSA to pay for gym membership?
Generally, the IRS doesn't allow pretax dollars in HSAs or FSAs for gym memberships. This is because they see them as expenses for general well-being rather than medical necessity. However, with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN), your HSA or FSA could be used to fund those expenses.
Can I spend HSA money on anything?
Generally, you can't use your HSA to pay for expenses that don't meaningfully promote the proper function of the body or prevent or treat illness or disease. Nutritional supplements and weight loss programs not prescribed by a physician are examples of expenses that would not be covered by your HSA.
What if I accidentally bought food on my HSA?
You can repay the incorrect distribution before filing your federal taxes for that tax year. However, if you do not correct the mistake, the unqualified amount will be subject to income tax, and you may also face an additional 20% tax penalty.
How does IRS know what you spend HSA on?
Verification of expenses is not required for HSAs. However, total withdrawals from your HSA are reported to the IRS on Form 1099-SA. You are responsible for reporting qualified and non-qualified withdrawals when completing your taxes.
Can I buy deodorant with HSA?
Deodorant reimbursement is not eligible with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA) or a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA).
Is it illegal to use HSA money for anything?
You generally can't use HSA funds to pay premiums. Once you turn 65, you can use the money in your HSA for anything you want. If you don't use it for qualified medical expenses, it counts as income when you file your taxes.
What triggers an HSA audit?
Does HSA spending trigger an audit? The IRS doesn't monitor how you spend your HSA funds throughout the year, but that doesn't mean they won't ask for proof that your expenses were eligible. And if your tax return contains unrelated IRS audit red flags, your risk for an HSA audit could increase.
Can you use an HSA debit card for anything?
There are multiple ways you can spend from your HSA. Pay for qualified medical expenses anytime with a swipe of your card. Receive and pay bills for qualified medical expenses. Get money back for medical expenses that you paid out of pocket.
Can I cash out my HSA?
Yes, you can withdraw funds from your HSA at any time. But please keep in mind that if you use your HSA funds for any reason other than to pay for a qualified medical expense, those funds will be taxed as ordinary income, and the IRS will impose a 20% penalty.
Can I use my HSA card for hygiene products?
Important update: Due to the passage of the CARES Act, starting January 1, 2020 the following items are eligible: Menstrual care/feminine hygiene products are now reimbursable. Over-the-counter drugs no longer require a prescription to be reimbursed.
Can I use my HSA card to buy gas?
Fuel is eligible for transportation to and from medical care, up to the allowed mileage rate. Fuel, gasoline for medical care reimbursement is eligible with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA).
What is the 12 month rule for HSA?
It means you must remain eligible for the HSA until December 31 of the following year. The only exceptions are death or disability. If you violate the testing period requirement, your ineligible contributions become taxable income.
What to do if you accidentally use HSA for non-medical expenses?
After you report the mistake to the custodian, the custodian reports it to the IRS. Reimburse the HSA. If you've mistakenly used HSA funds for nonqualified expenses, you must repay the distribution amount back into your HSA by the tax filing deadline for the year in which the distribution occurred.
Can you use HSA for vitamins?
In general, vitamins are not considered an HSA eligible expense unless they are prescribed by a doctor for a specific medical condition.
What are the most common mistakes for HSA?
- Using an HSA when you're not eligible. ...
- Paying for ineligible expenses. ...
- Contributing too much to your account. ...
- Paying someone else's medical bills. ...
- Using all of your funds. ...
- Using both an HSA and FSA. ...
- Stay ahead of mistakes with HSA Store.
What happens if I use my HSA card for something not covered?
Unfortunately, you can't just let mistakes like this slide. You can be charged a 20% penalty if you use your HSA funds to pay for a non-qualified medical expense, which would have been $70 in my case (not to mention traditional income taxes would apply, too).
Why is my HSA card getting declined?
Reasons for Declined HSA/FSA Transactions
There are several reasons why your client's HSA/FSA cards are declined, including: Insufficient funds. Funds have expired or do not roll over. Card has not been activated / set up by the client for utilization.
Can I use my HSA card for groceries?
The short answer is no. According to current IRS regulations, groceries are not considered a qualified medical expense and therefore cannot be paid for using HSA funds. HSAs are tax-advantaged savings accounts that are designed to help individuals and families save money for medical expenses.
What is the downside of an HSA?
Drawbacks of HSAs include tax penalties for nonmedical expenses before age 65, and contributions made to the HSA within six months of applying for Social Security benefits may be subject to penalties. HSAs have fewer limitations and more tax advantages than flexible spending accounts (FSAs).
What if I never use the money in my HSA?
Myth #2: If I don't spend all my funds this year, I lose it. Reality: HSA funds never expire. When it comes to the HSA, there's no use-it-or-lose-it rule. Unlike Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds, you keep your HSA dollars forever, even if you change employers, health plans, or retire.