Is there a penalty for having an HSA with Medicare?

Asked by: Ashlee Leuschke  |  Last update: January 21, 2024
Score: 4.7/5 (34 votes)

There's no penalty for having an already established HSA when you're enrolled in Medicare, although you can no longer set up a new HSA. However, if you save to an HSA while you're enrolled in Medicare, you may be hit with IRS penalties on what are considered “excess contributions,” including a 6% excise tax charge.

Is there a penalty for contributing to an HSA when on Medicare?

What are the consequences of contributing funds to my HSA while enrolled in Medicare? Medicare beneficiaries who continue to contribute funds to a HSA may face IRS penalties including payment of back taxes on their tax-free contributions and account interest, excise taxes and additional income taxes.

What is the penalty for HSA after 65?

Once you turn 65, you can also choose to treat your HSA like a retirement account! If you withdraw money from your HSA for something other than qualified medical expenses before you turn 65, you have to pay income tax plus a 20% penalty. But after you turn 65, that 20% penalty no longer applies, so withdraw away!

Why do you have to stop HSA contributions 6 months before Medicare?

But because you are retroactively “enrolled” in Medicare for an extra six months, you could be penalized after the fact if you contribute to your HSA during those months.

What disqualifies you from having an HSA?

If you enroll in Social Security you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A, which will disqualify you from contributing to an HSA. You can delay enrollment in Medicare Part A only if you delay taking Social Security. You can delay taking Social Security up until age 70 and one half years old.

What Happens to Your Health Savings Account (HSA) with Medicare

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Can you contribute to an HSA if you are retired?

Provided all eligibility requirements are met, retirees can begin making contributions to their HSA as soon as the account is established or opened. Annual contribution limits are mandated by the Internal Revenue Service and are adjusted annually for inflation.

What happens if you don't report HSA?

You must self-report any non-qualifying purchases on the Health Savings Account screen. Not claiming the non-qualifying expenses may lead to an audit, and you'll be subject to penalties and fines.

Does Medicare 6 month look back HSA?

Under current regulations, individuals who apply for Medicare Part A or Part B after reaching age 65 are automatically given six months of retroactive health coverage, which invalidates their ability to make or receive HSA contributions for any of those months they were deemed to be covered.

How can I avoid HSA penalty?

Using your HSA in retirement – No penalty

One significant perk of an HSA is that once you reach age 65, you can take an HSA distribution for any expense without penalty. The only caveat is that the withdrawal will be taxed like regular income.

What happens to my HSA if I retire before 65?

You are, however, subject to normal income tax on any non-qualified withdrawals. But if you remove money from your HSA before age 65, you are subject to a tax penalty as well as normal income taxes.

Do HSA contributions reduce Social Security benefits?

HSAs can reduce taxable income in retirement, which may affect Medicare premiums and the portion of Social Security benefits subject to federal income tax.

Should I stop contributing to my HSA before Medicare?

If you do not stop HSA contributions at least six months before Medicare enrollment, you may incur a tax penalty. If you require counseling around HSAs, consult a tax professional.

When should I stop contributing to my HSA?

3 times it's okay to stop funding your HSA
  1. Your financial situation has changed. ...
  2. You're getting close to age 65 or you're no longer eligible. ...
  3. You've hit the max contribution limit.

What is the HSA tax loophole?

HSA Tax Advantages

Your contributions may be 100 percent tax-deductible, meaning contributions can be deducted from your gross income. All interest earned in your HSA is 100 percent tax-deferred, meaning the funds grow without being subject to taxes unless they are used for non-eligible medical expenses.

Can you have too much money in your HSA account?

HSA Contributions Have Annual Limits

For 2022, you are only allowed to deposit $3,650 in your HSA for individual plans ($7,300 for family coverage). You can make an additional $1,000 contribution if you are 55 or older. Deposits that exceed this limit can incur tax penalties and/or IRS fees.

Can I transfer money from HSA to bank account?

Online Transfers – On HSA Bank's member website, you can reimburse yourself for out-of-pocket expenses by making a one-time or reoccurring online transfer from your HSA to your personal checking or savings account.

Does the IRS audit HSA accounts?

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. You are also responsible for saving all receipts as verification of expenses in the case of an IRS audit.

Do I need to report my HSA to IRS?

If you (or your spouse, if filing jointly) received HSA distributions in 2022, you must file Form 8889 with Form 1040, Form 1040-SR, or Form 1040-NR, even if you have no taxable income or any other reason for filing Form 1040, Form 1040-SR, or Form 1040-NR.

Do you have to report HSA to IRS?

Tax reporting is required if you have a Health Savings Account (HSA). You may be required to complete IRS Form 8889. HSA Bank provides you with the information and resources to assist you in completing IRS Form 8889 regarding your HSA.

What happens to unused HSA funds after death?

ANSWER: Upon the death of an HSA account holder, any amounts remaining in the HSA transfer to the beneficiary named in the HSA beneficiary designation form. (If a beneficiary is not named, the funds transfer according to the terms of the HSA trust or custodial account agreement.)

Why is my HSA being counted as income?

Employee contributions to Health Savings Accounts are considered taxable income, but contributions from the employer aren't, in most cases. Limitations There are limits to how much the employee and employer can contribute to the HSA each year.

Does IRS ask for receipts for HSA?

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.

Why do I have to pay to file taxes if I have an HSA?

If you're under 65 and use the funds for other purposes, that money becomes taxable income, and you could face an additional 20% tax on the nonmedical use of HSA money. Once you turn 65, you can use HSA money for anything, but you'll owe tax on withdrawals that aren't used to pay medical expenses.

How do I show HSA on my tax return?

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.

Does HSA get reported 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.