Can your dependent use your HSA card?

Asked by: Lauryn Jacobi Sr.  |  Last update: September 9, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (64 votes)

Yes, as long as you use the funds to pay for qualified medical expenses, you can pay for any family member who is a tax dependent on your tax return. You may also use the funds for medical expenses incurred by your child who is claimed as a tax dependent by their other parent.

Can I use my HSA card for my adult child?

Unless there is something odd or specific to your HSA, yes. You can use HSA funds for anyone you can claim as a dependent on taxes.

Can I pass my HSA to my kids?

anyone can be covered under the Medical HSA Plan. IRS rules only allow you to use pre-tax HSA funds for tax dependents. If you share custody or take turns claiming the child every other year, it's possible that you can use the funds for your child. You'll want to talk to your tax preparer to get advice.

Can I use my HSA to pay for my girlfriend?

No. You can only use HSA funds for yourself, your spouse, and your dependents.

Can I use my HSA to pay for child care?

Dependent day care expenses - Dependent day care expenses are not reimbursable under a Health FSA, HRA or HSA, but may be reimbursable under a dependent care FSA.

What is the difference between an HSA, FSA and a Dependent Care FSA?

16 related questions found

Can I use my HSA for my child who is not on my insurance?

You're allowed to contribute the full family amount to your HSA, because your HDHP is covering both yourself and your daughter. But you can only use your HSA funds to pay for your own medical care and your husband's. You can't use it to pay for your daughter's care, because you can't claim her as a tax dependent.

Can I spend HSA on dependents?

Yes, as long as you use the funds to pay for qualified medical expenses, you can pay for any family member who is a tax dependent on your tax return. You may also use the funds for medical expenses incurred by your child who is claimed as a tax dependent by their other parent.

Can I use my HSA card 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.

Can you use your HSA 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 use my HSA for my parents?

Based on these rules, however, only family members who are classified as your spouse, or as dependents that you claimed on your most recent tax return, or that you could have claimed on your tax return, would be eligible for coverage under your HSA.

What is the adult child loophole for HSA?

Here it is: “If your adult, non-dependent child is only covered by your High Deductible Health Plan, they (or you) can also make a family contribution into THEIR HSA in addition to yours.” For 2024, that contribution limit is $8,300 (in 2025, it'll be $8,550).

Can I use my HSA on my newborn?

HSA dollars can be used for baby supplies, postnatal care, check-ups, and more. you can also use your saved HSA funds on qualified medical expenses. Revisit your Savings Goals. A new baby means increased costs, but don't let this keep you from saving for the future.

What happens to unused HSA funds?

Unlike many flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), unused HSA funds automatically carry over to the following year. Even if your employer provided the account and made contributions, the account belongs to you — so any remaining funds are carried over every year.

Can I use my HSA for my child's braces?

Both HSAs and FSAs are savings accounts that allow you to put aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for qualified health care expenses, including orthodontic treatment. You can use these funds for yourself, your spouse, and your children (or any other eligible dependents).

Can I use my HSA for my wife's pregnancy?

You may only use your HSA to pay for qualified medical expenses for yourself, spouse, children or other dependents. Using your HSA to pay qualified medical expenses for your spouse does not affect your annual contribution limit.

Can HSA be passed down to kids?

You may also name your children or other non-spouse individuals as a beneficiary. For someone other than a spouse the tax benefits of account ownership do not transfer. The balance of the account will be distributed to your beneficiary and becomes taxable to them in the year you pass away.

Is the Apple Watch HSA eligible?

Why other fitness trackers don't qualify. Even though Fitbits and Apple Watches measure important health data, they currently do not qualify for HSA reimbursement, as they are considered for general health use and not intended to treat or manage a specific medical condition.

Can I 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. For example, if your doctor prescribes prenatal vitamins during pregnancy or recommends vitamin D supplements to treat a deficiency, those could be eligible expenses under your HSA.

Will HSA pay for massage?

Your HSA can pay for massage therapy, though you'll likely need a letter of medical necessity (LMN) from your doctor. An LMN states what condition the treatment is for, how many sessions you need, and any other relevant details. An HSA may also be used on alternative or holistic treatments, such as: Massage therapy.

What happens if I accidentally use my HSA card for food?

Yes, you read that correctly—even if you accidentally paid for a burger with your HSA debit card, you will have to report it on your annual income tax return and pay taxes on it. If you're under 65 and spend the money on unqualified purchases, you must also pay a 20% penalty on top of the income tax.

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 tampons with HSA?

Yes! Thanks to the CARES Act, tampons are now considered a “medical expense.” That means you can use pre-tax income to pay for them through your HSA. More questions about tampons?

Can I use my HSA card to pay for someone else?

Yes. You can use HSA funds to pay for qualified health care expenses for yourself, your spouse or dependent(s) even if they are covered under another health plan. Generally, people qualify as your dependent(s) if you claim them as an exemption on your federal income tax return.

What is the 12 month rule for HSA?

About the IRS' last-month rule testing period and penalty

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.

Can I use HSA for an adult child?

Did you know that you CANNOT use your HSA to pay for your adult child's qualified medical expenses if you do NOT claim them as a tax dependent? This is true even when they are still covered under your health plan.