How do I use unused FSA money?

Asked by: Deion Heathcote  |  Last update: January 27, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (47 votes)

Unused FSA money returns to your employer. The funds can be used towards offsetting administrative costs incurred during the plan year, employers can also reduce salary reductions in the next FSA year, or funds must be equally distributed to employees who enroll in an FSA for the next year.

How do I spend my leftover FSA money?

If you need some inspiration to use up your FSA dollars, consider these ideas:
  1. Healthcare visits. ...
  2. Prescription medications. ...
  3. Vision care. ...
  4. Dental care. ...
  5. Hearing aids. ...
  6. Over-the-counter medications. ...
  7. First aid supplies. ...
  8. Skin care products.

What happens to the FSA money I don't use?

The IRS created the ""use or lose"" rule, which states that all money left in your FSA is forfeited after the benefit period ends . If you don't use all of your FSA funds during the benefit period, you risk losing money.

How do I get my unused FSA money back?

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.

How to make the most of your FSA money before it disappears?

Check your balance: Log into your FSA account ASAP. Deadlines vary— double-check to be sure when yours is. Plan your spending: Use your remaining funds wisely. Stock up on prescription medications, replace glasses or contacts, and restock over-the-counter items like allergy meds and first-aid supplies.

What happens to your unused FSA funds?

39 related questions found

Can I cash out FSA funds?

You can't withdraw money from an ATM

One of those is that the money can only be spent on FSA-eligible expenses.

How do I not lose my FSA money?

There are more than a few ways you can avoid losing FSA funds.
  1. Don't over fund your account during Open Enrollment. ...
  2. Only put enough money in for a rollover (if offered by your company) ...
  3. Check your balance regularly. ...
  4. Live a little (splurge) ...
  5. Avoid common mistakes during your run out period.

Can unused FSA funds be rolled over?

In the past, FSAs were a "use-it-or-lose-it" arrangement, meaning you had to spend all the money in your FSA by the end of the plan year, or you'd lose it. Fortunately, that's changed! Now, employers can allow you to roll over a certain amount of your unused FSA funds to the next year.

Can I use FSA 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.

Can I transfer money from my FSA to my bank account?

Can You Transfer FSA to a Bank Account? The answer to this question is a straightforward "no." FSA money can only be used for designated healthcare-related purposes. As per the IRS, you cannot transfer that money to another account.

What happens to unused health care spending account money?

This is known as the “use it or lose it” rule. You may carry over up to $500 in unused Health Care Spending Account funds to the next year. You will forfeit any remaining balance above $500.

What can I spend my FSA money on?

You can spend FSA funds to pay deductibles and copayments, but not for insurance premiums. You can spend FSA funds on prescription medications, as well as over-the-counter medicines with a doctor's prescription. Reimbursements for insulin are allowed without a prescription.

Can I pay for massage with FSA?

Massage Therapy may be eligible for reimbursement with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA) and health reimbursement arrangements (HRA).

Can I buy an Apple Watch with FSA?

Understanding What's Eligible and What's Not

While fitness trackers such as an Apple Watch, Fitbit or Garmin aren't eligible expenses, medical devices that monitor, screen, or test for certain diseases or medical conditions may be eligible. These include items like blood pressure and heart-rate monitors.

Can I reimburse myself from FSA?

You can use your HSA or Health Care FSA to reimburse yourself for medical and dental expenses that qualify as federal income tax deductions (whether or not they exceed the IRS minimum applied to these deductions) under Section 213(d) of the tax code.

Is unused FSA money tax deductible?

You either spend it on qualified expenses, or lose it. If lost, is it not income, and there is no loss to deduct because you can't take a tax deduction for money that was never included in your taxable income to begin with. A dependent care FSA is reported on your return using form 2441.

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 ...

What happens if I accidentally used my HSA card for groceries?

You can repay the incorrect distribution before filing your federal taxes for that tax year. However, if you do not correct the mistake, the unqualified amount will be subject to income tax, and you may also face an additional 20% tax penalty.

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.

How to spend unused FSA?

If you still have leftover funds, head over to the FSA Store, where you can find hundreds of eligible items and pay for them with your account dollars without ever leaving your house. Education is critical to get the most out of your employee benefits.

Can I use FSA to pay off old medical bills?

No, you can only use this year's FSA funds to pay for an eligible expense incurred during this year, even if you have a payment plan going beyond this year.

Do I have to pay back FSA if I quit my job?

What Happens to Your FSA if You Quit. If you leave your company, try to use your FSA funds before you go because you don't have to pay the company back for the difference between what you spent and what you paid in, says Erik O.

What happens to unspent FSA money?

So, what happens when you don't spend all your FSA money? Good Question. "Typically the money goes back to the employer," says Jake Spiegel is Research Associate, Health and Wealth with the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI).

Are toothbrushes FSA eligible?

Brush-Up on FSAs and HSAs

However, current law does not recognize certain oral healthcare products — such as manual toothbrushes, electric toothbrushes, water flossers, mouthwash, or OTC anti-cavity toothpaste — as “qualified medical expenses.”

Can I cash out my FSA?

Unused funds go to your employer, who can split it among employees in the FSA plan or use it to offset the costs of administering benefits. Under no circumstances can your boss give the money back to you directly, according to IRS rules. Once the plan year is over, that money is gone.