What happens if I accidentally use my HSA card for non medical expenses?

Asked by: Amparo Berge IV  |  Last update: May 8, 2023
Score: 4.8/5 (74 votes)

Using Funds for Non-Medical Purposes Results in Penalties
Combined, an account holder's income tax and the 20 percent penalty could effectively be a 59.6 percent penalty for using funds in an HSA for non-medical expenses. (This is based on 2017's highest tax bracket of 39.6 percent.

What happens if you use HSA for non-qualified expenses?

IRS penalty and taxable income

Prior to age 65, if you use your money for non-qualified expenses, the IRS imposes a hefty HSA withdrawal penalty of 20 percent on the amount withdrawn. For example, if you spend $500 on non-qualified expenses, your penalty will be $100.

What happens if I accidentally use my HSA card for food?

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.

Can you go to jail for using HSA for non-medical?

The funds in an HSA can be used for general non-medical purposes, without penalty, once the employee reaches age 65.

Can I use my HSA to pay for non health related expenses?

HSA accounts can be used for non-medical expenses, but they lose tax-free perk. For people who don't generally get sick or spend a lot on medical expenses, an HSA can still prove beneficial. If necessary, you can withdraw money from your HSA for non-medical things, but Hogan doesn't recommend it.

What if I use my HSA money for an ineligible expense?

31 related questions found

How does IRS know what you spend HSA on?

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.

Can I use my HSA card to buy groceries?

No, you can't use your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) for straight food purchases like meat, produce and dairy. But you can use them for some nutrition-related products and services. To review, tax-advantaged accounts have regulatory restrictions on eligible products and services.

Can I use my HSA card for gas?

Fuel is eligible for transportation to and from medical care, up to the allowed mileage rate. Fuel, gasoline for medical care reimbursement is eligible with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA).

Can I use HSA for gym membership?

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.

Can I use my HSA to pay for hotel?

For lodging, a simple $50 per person per night qualifies as an HSA travel expense. That means that if you bring a companion, the HSA can pay for a $100 hotel room.

Can you use HSA for tummy tuck?

Answer: HSA/FSA funding

Cosmetic surgery is not HSA funding eligible. Tummy tucks, including the portion that addresses diastasis recti are considered to be elective cosmetic surgery. The only exception would be if the diastasis repair was medically necessary, which it typically is not.

Can I buy toilet paper with HSA card?

On the counterpoint, let's take a quick look at some of the expenses that don't qualify for payment out of your HSA, even during the coronavirus pandemic: Babysitting and childcare costs for a normal, healthy child. Medicines and drugs from other countries. Personal care items like toilet paper and soap.

What happens if I use my FSA incorrectly?

What Happens if I Use My FSA Incorrectly? If the benefits card is accidentally or intentionally utilized for ineligible expenses, you are responsible for reimbursing your account. You will be notified if you have an ineligible expense, and your benefits card may be deactivated until your account is reimbursed.

Can I buy water with my HSA card?

Water fluoridation is eligible for reimbursement with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), health reimbursement accounts (HRA), and limited-purpose flexible spending accounts (LPFSA) with a Letter of Medical Necessity.

Does HSA ever get audited?

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. Because of this, it is a good idea to save receipts and keep careful records of how HSA funds are spent.

Are toothbrushes HSA eligible?

Toothbrushes are not eligible for reimbursement with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), health reimbursement accounts (HRA), dependent care flexible spending accounts and limited-purpose flexible spending accounts (LPFSA) because they are general health products.

Can I buy a humidifier with my HSA card?

Humidifiers are eligible for reimbursement with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) for flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), and health reimbursement accounts (HRA).

Can I use my FSA card for groceries?

Flexible Spending Account for qualified medical expenses. That means items such as groceries and clothing are unfortunately not FSA eligible… The IRS specifically defines which expenses would qualify for FSA reimbursement.

Do I have to pay back FSA?

Even if you leave your job before contributing that much, you generally don't need to pay back the extra money you spent, says Jody Dietel, chief compliance officer for WageWorks, which administers FSAs for employers.

Can an employer refund unused FSA funds?

There are government rules that control what's allowed with forfeited FSA funds: The funds can't be returned to individual employees based on the amount forfeited because that would violate the “use it or lose it” rule. You can't donate the funds to charity or take a tax deduction from them.

Can I use my HSA card for vitamins?

Generally, weight-loss supplements, nutritional supplements, and vitamins are used for general health and are not qualified HSA expenses. HSA owners usually cannot include the cost of diet food or beverages in medical expenses because these substitute for what is normally consumed to satisfy nutritional needs.

Can I buy Tylenol with my HSA card?

There are two common types of over-the-counter pain medications: acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), both of which are now among the eligible expenses available from an HSA and FSA.

Can I buy ChapStick with HSA?

You can use your health savings account (HSA) to purchase OTC products including ChapStick® without a prescription.

Can you use HSA for chiropractor?

Your HSA funds can cover medical expenses big and small, from ongoing costs, like chiropractic treatments, to unexpected ones, like crutches after an accident.

Is Botox HSA eligible?

Botox injections are not eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA) or a limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA).