Can you go negative on FSA?

Asked by: Esperanza Gutkowski  |  Last update: September 16, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (53 votes)

If you notice that your Dependent Care FSA has a negative balance, you likely submitted a claim that was in excess of your available funds. If the full claim was approved, reimbursements will continue to be processed as additional Dependent Care funds are deposited to your account.

Can you overdraw a FSA card?

In order for your card to work, you must have the balance available in your FSA; no overdraft is available.

Can you overspend your FSA?

An over-allocation problem arises when you don't have enough qualified medical expenses to spend that entire amount because FSA funds are "use it or lose it," meaning any money left in your account at the end of year is lost, with a few deadline exceptions.

Can you lose FSA funds?

If you don't use all of your FSA funds during the benefit period, you risk losing money. However, the HCFSA and the LEX HCFSA have Carryover, which allows you to carry over up to $660 in unused funds into the next benefit period if you reenroll in FSAFEDS. Any remaining unused funds over $660 will be forfeited.

Is there a downside to FSA?

Use-it-or-lose-it refers to an IRS requirement that if you do not spend all the money you have elected into your account, that money remaining in an FSA after March 15 of the following year will be forfeited because it cannot be rolled over or refunded to you.

What happens to your unused FSA funds?

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Can FSA be negative?

No problem, you can withdraw your entire yearly contribution of $1,200, even though you haven't actually contributed it yet. You'll have a negative FSA balance, but your contributions will continue with each paycheck. At the end of the year, your FSA balance will be zero.

What is the biggest disadvantage of the FSAs?

While FSAs offer several benefits, they also have limitations. The 'use-it-or-lose-it' rule can lead to the loss of unspent funds. Additionally, there are restrictions regarding eligible expenses and contribution limits, which are determined by the IRS and can change annually.

Can I cash out my FSA?

You can't withdraw money from an ATM

One of those is that the money can only be spent on FSA-eligible expenses. The easiest way to be sure your purchases are eligible is to shop at a store that exclusively sell FSA-eligible items (hint: FSAstore.com).

Is an HSA or FSA better?

Bottom line: Both HSAs and FSAs provide financial benefits for managing health care expenses. HSAs offer more flexibility and long-term growth potential, making them a valuable tool for future financial planning. Learn about HSA options from Aetna.

Does FSA cover gym membership?

But that's not all a Letter of Medical Necessity can do for you. You can even pay for your gym membership with FSA/HSA funds, making it easier than ever to access top-of-the-line equipment like the models we have in our studios.

Where does unused FSA money go?

For employees, the main downside to an FSA is the use-it-or-lose-it rule. If the employee fails to incur enough qualified expenses to drain his or her FSA each year, any leftover balance generally reverts back to the employer.

Is it worth maxing out FSA?

Once you have your total, compare it to the maximum amount the IRS lets you put into an FSA. In 2022, the limit is $2,750 per year per employer. “Maxing out your contributions is only a good idea if you know you'll spend that much or more on medical bills during the year,” says Melanie Musson.

Can FSA be used for dental?

You can use funds in your FSA to pay for certain medical and dental expenses for you, your spouse if you're married, and your dependents. You can spend FSA funds to pay deductibles and copayments, but not for insurance premiums.

What happens if I overspend on FSA?

Any funds in your account at the end of the plan year (in excess of the carryover amount, if your plan includes one) will be forfeited to your employer.

What happens if you go negative in your HSA account?

If the account should become overdrawn you will be charged the NSF charge in effect at that time. However, an HSA should never have a negative account balance. If you ever notice a negative balance on your HSA, it is the account holder's responsibility to make the account positive as soon as possible.

Why is my FSA card being declined when I have money?

Common reasons might include:

The total amount exceeds your available FSA balance. Your FSA card could be inactive. Your FSA does not allow for certain items.

Can I use HSA for dental?

Your HSA also covers expenses for standard dental cleanings and dental check-ups. One thing to keep in mind is that some of these procedures may have a co-payment, so it's important that you check with your dental insurance provider to find out exactly what you'll have to pay out of pocket.

Do FSAs roll over?

How much of an FSA's funds can carry over? If your employer offers a rollover, the IRS permits you to carry over a set amount of unspent funds (indexed annually, per IRS rules). You can carry over up to $660 from your 2025 FSA into 2026.

How much to contribute to FSA?

An employee who chooses to participate in an FSA can contribute up to $3,300 through payroll deductions during the 2025 plan year. Amounts contributed are not subject to federal income tax, Social Security tax or Medicare tax. If the plan allows, the employer may also contribute to an employee's FSA.

How to burn FSA money?

If you need some inspiration to use up your FSA dollars, consider these ideas:
  1. Healthcare visits. ...
  2. Prescription medications. ...
  3. Vision care. ...
  4. Dental care. ...
  5. Hearing aids. ...
  6. Over-the-counter medications. ...
  7. First aid supplies. ...
  8. Skin care products.

Can I use my FSA card on Amazon?

Yes. Amazon does separate FSA and HSA eligible items and payment within a single order. If you have ineligible items in your cart or choose to have your eligible items gift-wrapped, you can choose to add another payment method and Amazon will charge the correct amount to each card or payment method.

How will FSA affect my paycheck?

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Contribution

All amounts are considered pre-tax deductions from your paycheck when you participate in your company's FSA plan.

Will a FSA lower my taxes?

A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) allows you to put aside a set amount of money from your paychecks before taxes to pay for certain specific health care or dependent care expenses, which lowers your taxable income. What is the main advantage of an FSA? The main advantage of an FSA is the tax savings it offers.

What are the negatives of FSA?

Flexible spending accounts offer several advantages to your company and your employees. However, there are also some disadvantages to be aware of. One of the best known is the “use it or lose it” feature. Any amounts contributed to an account and not spent by the end of the year are forfeited to the employer.

Can I borrow from my FSA?

FSA has different types of loans that you can apply for, depending on your current situation and what you need the loan for.