Do you actually save money with an FSA?

Asked by: Prof. Norma Haag  |  Last update: October 19, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (75 votes)

With a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you can save an average of 30 percent by using pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible FSA expenses for you, your spouse, and qualifying children or relatives. Here's how an FSA works. Money for your FSA is deducted automatically from your paycheck before taxes are taken out.

Does FSA really save money?

A Flexible Spending Account (FSA, also called a “flexible spending arrangement”) is a special account you put money into that you use to pay for certain out-of-pocket health care costs. You don't pay taxes on this money. This means you'll save an amount equal to the taxes you would have paid on the money you set aside.

What is the downside 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.

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.

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.

Should I Sign Up for an FSA? | Would an FSA Save Me Money?

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How much am I really saving with FSA?

With a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you can save an average of 30 percent by using pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible FSA expenses for you, your spouse, and qualifying children or relatives. Here's how an FSA works. Money for your FSA is deducted automatically from your paycheck before taxes are taken out.

Can you use FSA for 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.

Is it better to have an HSA or FSA?

HSAs may offer higher contribution limits and allow you to carry funds forward, but you're only eligible if you're enrolled in an HSA-eligible health plan. Health care FSAs have lower contribution limits and generally you can't carry over funds.

What is the downside to dependent care FSA?

Drawbacks of Dependent Care FSA

If money is left over at the end of the year, it doesn't carry over to the next year. If your employer doesn't offer this account, there is no other way to get one. Your FSA can only pay for qualifying expenses, while you're working.

Should you maximize your 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.

What happens to the money you lose in an FSA?

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.

Can you use FSA for massage?

Pay with Your FSA or HSA: Once you have the prescription, you can pay for your massage therapy directly with your FSA or HSA debit card. If your provider doesn't accept these cards, you can pay out of pocket and submit a claim for reimbursement.

Does FSA affect credit score?

No, an FSA card will not impact your credit history. It's because it's not really a credit card. You're not lending money to make purchases. You're using money from your income that is transferred to your FSA.

What are the disadvantages of an FSA?

Drawbacks Of Funding An FSA
  • Unused funds don't roll over from year to year and can't be transferred from job to job.
  • Contributions are limited by the IRS.
  • You employer doesn't have to offer an FSA.
  • Funds can't be used to pay for insurance premiums.

Are diapers FSA eligible?

Regular diapers for newborns and infants are not FSA eligible because they do not treat a medical condition, but rather aid a healthy function of the body. There are some ways to save, however, including sales, coupons, buying in bulk or joining rewards programs.

What is the FSA tax at Costco?

A flexible spending account (FSA) is a tax-advantaged way to pay for medical costs, including services and health-related items. One downside of these accounts is that they are “use it or lose it” — you must use the funds in your account by the end of your plan year because they do not roll over into the next one.

Is healthcare FSA worth it?

A health care FSA can be useful for people with any level of health costs because it provides access to the entire annual amount elected, beginning on the very first day of the plan year for medical, dental, and vision costs. So, if you have an unexpected large expense, you can access the funds you need.

Do you lose money in dependent care FSA?

You must use all your dependent care FSA funds within a specified period of time, or you will lose them.

Does FSA affect child tax credit?

4. There is a maximum expense that can be attributed to one child, or to two or more children. It's $3,000 for one child and $6,000 for two or more children. If you contribute $3,000 or more to your FSA and you have the one child, then there are no dollars left to use for calculating the credit.

Can you use FSA for dental?

Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) allow employees to make tax-free contributions for various medical or dental expenses. Distributions are free, provided they are used for qualified medical expenses. In most circumstances, you can use your FSA for non-cosmetic dental procedures.

Should you spend HSA or save it?

All this said, like many accounts, the trick for HSA success is achieving balance -- save when you can, spend when you need. Remember, these tax-free funds are there to promote long-term health. As an example, other than for health insurance premiums, you can use your HSA for almost anything medical.

What is the penalty for withdrawing from FSA?

Even if you're no longer eligible to make contributions, you can still withdraw the money tax-free as long as it's for qualified costs. If you withdraw funds before age 65 and use them for nonqualified expenses, you'll be subject to a 20% penalty.

Does FSA cover peloton membership?

You can't directly pay for membership costs with your HSA/FSA card, but if you receive a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) from Truemed or an applicable licensed medical professional and are eligible for reimbursement, you may be able to apply your HSA/FSA funds to the cost of a Peloton Membership while the LMN is ...

Can you use FSA for vitamins?

Are vitamins FSA/HSA eligible? You want to be careful when trying to buy vitamins with your FSA or HSA. They are not always deemed a qualified expense. If your vitamins are not prescribed by a healthcare professional or used to treat a specific condition, your purchase most likely won't be FSA or HSA eligible.