Does IRS ask for receipts for HSA?

Asked by: Judah Altenwerth  |  Last update: September 6, 2023
Score: 4.8/5 (36 votes)

The only reason you actually need documentation of your receipt (or documentation of your qualified HSA-reimbursable medical expense) is if you need to prove it to the IRS, which would only happen if the IRS audited your tax return. See, everything is self-reported on Form 8889 as a part of your IRS tax package.

Does IRS check HSA receipts?

The IRS requires that you keep receipts for all your Health Savings Account (HSA) spending. HSA distributions (money taken from an HSA account) are nontaxable, but only when the money is used to pay for qualified medical expenses.

Do you need itemized receipts for HSA?

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.

How far back can HSA be audited?

The math of how long you should save your HSA records include the year the expenses were made, three years for the first audit window, and three years for the second audit window. Save the receipts for a total of seven years. Scenario 2: Save receipts and reimburse yourself later tax free.

What HSA information is needed for taxes?

File Form 8889 with your tax return to report your HSA contributions and distributions. Completing Form 8889 requires information from your 1099-SA and information from your W-2. Some of this information includes: Annual distributions.

What is the Best Way to Keep Track of HSA Expenses?

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What happens if you don't include HSA on taxes?

In addition to the 20 percent penalty, the IRS will also consider any HSA funds spent on non-qualified expenses as taxable income. This means they must be included as part of your total income when filing your taxes, which could increase the amount you owe or reduce any refund to which you may be entitled.

What if I forgot to report my HSA on my tax return?

It's possible that processing could be delayed and your refund held up until you clear up the discrepancy. However, the most likely outcome is that your return will be processed as submitted, and then you will have to file an amended return to correct the issue.

What is HSA receipt loophole?

Again, you don't have to reimburse yourself for those medical expenses in the same year, or the same plan year that you incur those medical expenses. If you incur that medical expense, you can just write it down. And then you can reimburse yourself from the HSA at a later date.

What happens if you break HSA rules?

If you don't, you may end up paying income tax plus a 20% IRS penalty on any expenses deemed ineligible—whether because you broke the rules or just didn't have the right records. So, the first step of keeping your HSA records in order comes before you even make any payments out of your HSA.

How long do I need to keep receipts for HSA account?

Hold onto every receipt and statement

Cheekiness aside, keep every single receipt and HSA statement like it's going out of style. You want to hold onto all those HSA records as long as your tax return is considered "open," which is about three years after you file, or as long as you have your HSA account.

Can I use my HSA for any expenses?

If you have money in your HSA when you turn 65, you can spend it on anything you want — but if you aren't spending it for a qualified medical expense it will be taxed as income at your then current tax rate. You can use HSA funds to pay for deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and other qualified medical expenses.

Can I reimburse myself from HSA for prior year expenses?

Can I use my tax-free HSA savings to pay for — or reimburse myself for — IRS-qualified medical expenses from a previous year? Yes, as long as the IRS-qualified medical expenses were incurred after your HSA was established, you can pay them or reimburse yourself with HSA funds at any time.

What do I do if I accidentally used my HSA card?

If you realize you've made a mistake and want to correct it, simply return the money to your HSA and you will avoid the additional penalty. If you do not return the money to your HSA, it will be counted as taxable income, and even worse, you'll have to pay a 20% penalty.

How likely will I get audited?

For one thing, your chances statistically of being audited are not likely. The vast majority of more than approximately 150 million taxpayers who file yearly don't have to face it. Less than one percent of taxpayers get one sort of audit or another. Your overall odds of being audited are roughly 0.3% or 3 in 1,000.

Why do I have to report HSA on my taxes?

You are eligible for a tax deduction for additional contributions you made to your HSA even if you do not itemize your deductions. Contributions made to your HSA by your employer may be excluded from your gross income. The contributions remain in your account until you use them.

How are HSA contributions reported to IRS?

File Form 8889 to: Report health savings account (HSA) contributions (including those made on your behalf and employer contributions). Figure your HSA deduction. Report distributions from HSAs.

Can I use my HSA to pay for a friend's medical expenses?

The only time you can use your HSA to pay for the healthcare costs of a friend is if you have named that person as a dependent on your most recent tax return (provided that they qualify under the non-relative qualifications — detailed below).

What is the 13 month rule for HSA?

Use the 13-month rule to make up for lost time

You can contribute the full amount to your HSA if you meet the following conditions: Enroll in an HSA-eligible HDHP before December 1st of the given year. Maintain that HDHP coverage through December 31st of the following year, for a total of 13 months.

Does HSA verify purchases?

Account holders are responsible for verifying eligibility of purchases. Unlike the flexible spending account (FSA), which doesn't allow the user to purchase goods or services that aren't eligible for reimbursement, an employee could literally purchase anything with their HSA dollars.

How can I avoid HSA penalty?

After you reach age 65 or if you become disabled, you can withdraw HSA funds without penalty, but the amounts withdrawn will be taxable as ordinary income if not used for qualified medical expenses. Can I withdraw the funds from my HSA at any time?

Does IRS audit HSA contributions?

It is important to keep the receipts to prove that the payment was indeed for a qualified medical expense in case of an audit. HSA spending may be subject to IRS audit. Even if HSA funds were used for qualified medical expenses, the IRS may ask for proof that the funds were spent correctly.

Will the IRS catch a missing 1099?

If you forget to report the income documented on a 1099 form, the IRS will catch this error. When the IRS thinks that you owe additional tax on your unreported 1099 income, it'll usually notify you and retroactively charge you penalties and interest beginning on the first day they think that you owed additional tax.

Is gym membership HSA eligible?

Can I use my HSA for a gym membership? Typically no. Unless you have a letter from your doctor stating that the membership is necessary to treat an injury or underlying health condition, such as obesity, a gym membership isn't a qualifying medical expense.

What happens if I use my HSA for Botox?

Money in an FSA or HSA does not cover cosmetic treatments. If you are getting Botox for a medical indication, such as migraine headaches, then you can use the money in your HSA for Botox. But cosmetic treatments are not eligible.

Are tampons HSA-eligible?

With the passage of the CARES Act in March 2020, tampons and other menstrual care products are now fully FSA-/HSA-eligible. According to the text of the bill, menstrual care products include, “tampon, pad, liner, cup, sponge, or similar product used by individuals with respect to menstruation…”