Do I need anything from my HSA for taxes?

Asked by: Ashleigh Mueller  |  Last update: November 15, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (61 votes)

You must always file a Form 8889 in any year you or an employer contributes money to your HSA or you make withdrawals from the account. The deduction you calculate on Form 8889 is taken on the first page of your income tax return.

Do I need to report my HSA on taxes?

HSA distributions are reported to the account owner on Form 1099-SA. This form is issued by the financial institution. Form 8889 must be filed with your annual Form 1040 federal tax filing if you make contributions to or take distributions from an HSA.

Is it worth claiming HSA expenses on taxes?

Health Savings Accounts offer a triple-tax advantage* – deposits are tax-deductible, growth is tax-deferred, and spending is tax-free. All contributions to your HSA are tax-deducible, or if made through payroll deductions, are pre-tax which lowers your overall taxable income.

Do I need HSA receipts for taxes?

Taxpayers must keep records to show that HSA distributions were used to pay or reimburse qualified medical expenses, and the medical expense had not been taken as an itemized deduction in any year.

Do I get a 1099 for my HSA?

Form 1099-SA is filed by providers of HSAs or MSAs, including Archer and Medicare MSAs. These forms are sent to individual account holders and the IRS. Like other 1099 forms, the issuing entity should send it to the taxpayer by the end of January each year.

The Real TRUTH About An HSA - Health Savings Account Insane Benefits

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Do you get a w2 for HSA?

Employer contributions (including an employee's contribution through a cafeteria plan) are allowed to be made to an employee's HSA. Generally, employer contributions are excluded from an employee's income. Employer contributions are reported on Form W-2, Box 12 using code W.

Why is my HSA being taxed by TurboTax?

If you have not yet gone through the Health Savings Account (HSA) section under Deductions and Credits, then your contribution will be shown as taxable on your return.

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.

How do I prove my HSA expenses?

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.

What if I didn't get a 1099-SA?

What happens if I did not get a 1099-SA? If you have not received an expected 1099-SA by a few days after the end of January, contact the provider, or issuing entity. If you still do not get the form by February 15, you can call the IRS for help at 1-800-829-1040.

How much will HSA reduce my taxes?

For example, If you're in the 24% marginal federal income tax bracket, every $1,000 you contribute to an HSA saves you $240 in income taxes. A family contributing the current (2023) maximum to an HSA in the 24% marginal income tax bracket can save up to $1,860.

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).

Why does my HSA lower my tax refund?

When you contribute money to an HSA, it decreases your adjusted gross income (AGI) which determines your taxable income. Since the U.S. runs on a tax rate system based on your income, the lower your AGI, the lower your tax bill.

How do HSA distributions affect taxes?

Contributions to HSAs and MSAs are tax-deductible and the unspent balances can rollover indefinitely from year to year. Distributions from HSAs and MSAs that are not used for qualified medical expenses are subject to income tax and an additional 20% tax.

Are gym memberships HSA eligible?

Gym memberships. While some companies and private insurers may offer discounts on gym memberships, you generally can't use your FSA or HSA account to pay for gym or health club memberships. An exception to that rule would be if your doctor deems fitness medically necessary for your recovery or treatment.

What happens if I don't file form 8889?

Put simply, the IRS uses Form 8889 for HSA reporting. If you hold an HSA account (or are the beneficiary of a deceased HSA holder), you're required to attach Form 8889 to your Form 1040 when filing your personal income tax or information return. If you fail to do so, you'll be unable to deduct your HSA contributions.

Do I need a tax document from my HSA?

Filing Your Taxes

Although HSAs have triple-tax advantages, you are required to report distributions to the IRS. When filing your taxes before Tax Day, regularly April 15th of the following year, you must complete an IRS Form 8889. Use your IRS Form 1099-SA to help you fill in information on the IRS from 8889.

What if I accidentally used my HSA card for groceries?

If you catch the transaction early enough, you might even be able to contact the retailer and ask them to reverse the charge and fill it on a new card. If you bought something in person, you can also return it to the store and then buy it again with a different card.

Do you need receipts for HSA for taxes?

Always save your receipts and supporting documentation for your records. While Benefit Resource will not ask you to provide a receipt for an HSA expense, you are responsible for maintaining documentation of account use in the event that you are ever audited by the IRS.

Does the IRS check HSA spending?

Is there an expense verification process like an FSA or HRA? Verification of expenses is not required for HSAs. However, total withdrawals from your HSA are reported to the IRS on Form 1099-SA.

Can you not report HSA on taxes?

You must report distributions from your HSA on IRS Form 8889. You will receive a separate 1099-SA for each type of distribution made during the tax year. The five distribution types are 1) normal; 2) excess contribution removal; 3) death; 4) disability; and 5) prohibited transaction.

Can I use my HSA to pay for yoga?

Fitness fees do not immediately qualify as eligible HSA/FSA expenses, but they do qualify if a provider recommends exercise to prevent or treat a medical condition. To qualify those expenses for reimbursement with an HSA/FSA administrator, you need a Letter of Medical Necessity from a provider.

How do I show HSA on my tax return?

Use Form 8889 to:
  1. Report health savings account (HSA) contributions (including those made on your behalf and employer contributions),
  2. Figure your HSA deduction,
  3. Report distributions from HSAs, and.
  4. Figure amounts you must include in income and additional tax you may owe if you fail to be an eligible individual.

How do I avoid tax on my HSA?

Once you turn 65, you can withdraw money from your HSA for any reason without penalty. But for the distribution to be tax- and penalty-free, it must be used for qualified medical expenses. If you use the funds for other purposes, the amount withdrawn will be subject to regular income taxes.

How can I tell if I overfunded my HSA?

You will see the total amount of your excess contributions for the year on IRS Form 8889, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). This amount is taxable income. If the excess contributions are from your employer, they will include them in your wages when they report them on your W-2.