Do I need receipts for HSA expenses?

Asked by: Dillon Denesik V  |  Last update: August 10, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (13 votes)

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.

Do I need to save receipts for HSA expenses?

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 ask for receipts for HSA?

So, when you're doing your taxes, you'll be responsible for reporting all of your reimbursed expenses, qualified or non-qualified. If you're ever audited by the IRS, you'll need those receipts to prove that you spent the funds on qualified expenses.

What proof do I need for HSA reimbursement?

For FSAs, HSAs, and some HRAs, a detailed provider receipt or itemized cash register receipt is usually sufficient, if it contains all the required information listed above. For some HRAs, an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your insurance company is required.

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.

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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.

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.

What is HSA receipt loophole?

The Adult Child HSA Family Contribution Loophole

That's why you can do things like save receipts for decades and then pull the money out of the account. That's why you can use it as a stealth IRA by investing in it for decades and then pulling it out after age 65 penalty-free and buying a sailboat with it.

Can HSA pay for gym membership?

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.

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

Card declines can occur because funds have expired, new cards have been issued, the card does not have sufficient funds or various other reasons. You typically find the contact information for your plan administrator on the back of your FSA/HSA card.

How far back can I claim HSA expenses?

There's no deadline for HSA reimbursements

There are lots of reasons to love your HSA, and here's one more — you can reimburse yourself for expenses years after they occurred. According to the IRS, there is no time limit for paying yourself back, but there are some rules (we'll explain more below).

Will I get audited for medical expenses?

Claiming deductions for things like charitable donations or medical expenses to lower your tax bill doesn't in itself make you prime audit material. But claiming substantial deductions in proportion to your income does.

What happens if I don't report my HSA on taxes?

Other relevant forms include Form 8889 for HSA reporting on your tax return and IRS Form 5329 for excess contributions. Not reporting contributions or distributions for your HSA can result in penalties and interest, affect taxable income calculations, require amended returns, and increase the risk of an IRS audit.

How do I reimburse myself from my HSA?

As long as you opened your HSA before the expense was incurred, your reimbursement will be tax-free. You can: Transfer money online from your HSA to your personal bank account using an electronic funds transfer (EFT) Mail yourself a check through the transfer money feature.

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.

Do I need anything from my HSA to file taxes?

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.

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 groceries?

As mentioned earlier, using HSA funds directly for groceries is not allowed under current IRS regulations. This can be seen as a downside for individuals looking to use their HSA money for day-to-day expenses.

Do I need proof for HSA reimbursement?

And while it isn't required that you submit receipts to be reimbursed from your HSA, we recommend it in case of an IRS audit.

What happens if you don't have HSA receipts?

Without the proper proof, we cannot approve your claim, and you will be required to repay the plan for the amount of the debit card transaction or the amount will become taxable income.

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 are the most common mistakes for HSA?

Common HSA mistakes and how to avoid them
  • 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.

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).

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?