Can you get in trouble for using your HSA card?
Asked by: Mikel Bernier | Last update: August 17, 2023Score: 5/5 (54 votes)
If you use your HSA for an expense other than eligible medical expenses you can subject yourself to significant IRS penalties. Inappropriate use of your HSA funds may also leave you without money to pay for your eligible medical expenses in the future.
Can I get in trouble for using HSA money?
IRS penalty and taxable income
Prior to age 65, if you use your money for non-qualified expenses, the IRS imposes a hefty HSA withdrawal penalty of 20 percent on the amount withdrawn. For example, if you spend $500 on non-qualified expenses, your penalty will be $100.
What happens if you misuse HSA card?
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).
What happens if I use my HSA card for non-medical expenses?
Using HSA funds for non-medical expenses before age 65 can result in the loss of tax-exempt status, income tax obligations, and an additional 20% tax penalty. So, once an individual reaches age 65, they can utilize the funds for general non-medical purposes without penalties, although income taxes still apply.
Can I use my HSA card for anyone?
The only time you can use your HSA to pay for the healthcare costs of a friend is if you have named that person as a dependent on your most recent tax return (provided that they qualify under the non-relative qualifications — detailed below).
How do I withdraw cash using my HSA card?
Can my girlfriend use my HSA card?
Bad news: domestic partners don't qualify
According to the IRS, you can only cover qualified medical expenses for certain people. These folks are limited to: You. Your spouse.
Can I spend my HSA on a family member?
You and your spouse
It goes without saying that you can spend your HSA funds on yourself. You can also use the funds for qualified medical expenses for your spouse - even if you have “self-only” HDHP coverage. The plan owner does not have to be present when their spouse uses HSA funds.
Does the IRS audit HSA accounts?
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. You are also responsible for saving all receipts as verification of expenses in the case of an IRS audit.
Can I use HSA for groceries?
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.
Are massages HSA eligible?
Massage Therapy is eligible for reimbursement through most FSA's and HSA's. Some do require a Letter of Medical Necessity from your doctor, but this means you can potentially be reimbursed from your insurance for your massage from us! You just need a note from your primary care physician.
Do I need to report my HSA if I didn't use it?
Contributions made to your HSA by your employer may be excluded from your gross income. The contributions remain in your account until you use them. The earnings in the account aren't taxed. Distributions used to pay for qualified medical expenses are tax-free.
Can I transfer money from HSA to bank account?
Online Transfers – On HSA Bank's member website, you can reimburse yourself for out-of-pocket expenses by making a one-time or reoccurring online transfer from your HSA to your personal checking or savings account.
Can I buy toilet paper with my HSA card?
Toiletries are not eligible for reimbursement 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).
Can I buy tampons with HSA?
With the passage of the CARES Act in March 2020, tampons and other menstrual care products are now fully FSA-/HSA-eligible. According to the text of the bill, menstrual care products include, “tampon, pad, liner, cup, sponge, or similar product used by individuals with respect to menstruation…”
How do I withdraw money from my HSA debit card?
To pay using a PIN (fee per PIN transaction may apply†), swipe your card, select debit on the keypad, and enter your PIN. To withdraw HSA funds from an ATM (fee per ATM withdrawal may apply†), be sure to select the “checking” option (not savings) when asked the type of account you are withdrawing from.
Does HSA require receipts?
Recordkeeping Requirements
Good recordkeeping avoids future tax headaches. Essentially, any money that comes out of your HSA must have a receipt showing it was for an eligible medical expense. You may face a 20% penalty on any distribution that you cannot prove was for a qualified medical expense.
How are HSA expenses tracked?
Because HSA administrators don't track the purchases employees make with their HSA, employees should make it a habit to save receipts for all HSA-eligible goods and services, so they can easily reimburse themselves when they are ready, or when they need the money.
How is HSA reported to IRS?
File Form 8889 to: Report health savings account (HSA) contributions (including those made on your behalf and employer contributions). Figure your HSA deduction. Report distributions from HSAs.
Can I pay my wife's medical bills with my HSA?
Can I use my HSA funds to pay for my spouse's medical expenses? You definitely can, even if your spouse doesn't have an HSA or a HDHP. You can also use your HSA funds to pay for the medical expenses of any dependent children claimed on your income tax return.
What can you use HSA funds for?
You can use HSA funds to pay for deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and other qualified medical expenses. Withdrawals to pay eligible medical expenses are tax-free. Unspent HSA funds roll over from year to year, allowing you to build tax-free savings to pay for medical care later.
Who inherits my HSA?
If a spouse is designated as your beneficiary, they become the owner of your HSA after you pass away. That means the benefits of the account, including tax-free withdrawals for qualified healthcare expenses, are theirs to enjoy as well.
Can my wife roll her HSA into mine?
No. You cannot rollover or transfer an account balance to another person's HSA. This would result in a taxable distribution (i.e., a distribution that was not used for a qualified medical expense). Rollovers and transfers are only tax free to the extent they go from your existing HSA to another HSA set up in your name.
Can I buy Gatorade with my HSA card?
Rehydration sports drinks, such as Gatorade, and solution with dietary supplements other than electrolytes are not eligible.
Can I buy vitamins with HSA?
With this IRS definition in mind, while daily multivitamins are not FSA/HSA eligible, there are some types of vitamins that are eligible with consumer-directed healthcare accounts and others that may be eligible with proper documentation from a physician.
Is Apple Watch HSA eligible?
Unfortunately the answer to this question is usually no. This is because according to the IRS, fitness trackers are used to promote what the IRS terms “general health”. Expenses under this general health definition are not considered HSA eligible expenses.