What happens if I buy something with my HSA for non medical expenses?

Asked by: Kassandra Herzog IV  |  Last update: August 27, 2023
Score: 4.6/5 (36 votes)

If you use your HSA for an expense other than eligible medical expenses you can subject yourself to significant IRS penalties. Inappropriate use of your HSA funds may also leave you without money to pay for your eligible medical expenses in the future.

What to do if you use your HSA for non-medical expenses?

There is an additional 20% tax on the part of your distributions not used for qualified medical expenses. Figure the tax on Form 8889 and file it with your Form 1040, 1040-SR, or 1040-NR. Exceptions. There is no additional tax on distributions made after the date you are disabled, reach age 65, or die.

Can you use an HSA for non-medical purchases?

Non-medical expenses

The funds in an HSA can be used for general non-medical purposes, without penalty, once the employee reaches age 65. However, any withdrawn funds used for non-medical purposes are still subject to income tax.

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.

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.

MESSA ABC: Can I use money in my HSA for non-medical expenses?

29 related questions found

Does HSA check receipts?

Recordkeeping Requirements

Essentially, any money that comes out of your HSA must have a receipt showing it was for an eligible medical expense.

Can I use HSA for gym membership?

Physical therapy is an approved medical expense. 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 you use HSA for whatever you want?

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 use HSA for 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 reimburse myself from HSA without receipt?

As long as the qualifying medical expense was made after the establishment of your HSA, you can use your HSA to pay yourself back for your out-of-pocket expense. And while it isn't required that you submit receipts to be reimbursed from your HSA, we recommend it in case of an IRS audit.

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.

Can I buy vitamins with HSA?

With this IRS definition in mind, while daily multivitamins are not FSA/HSA eligible, there are some types of vitamins that are eligible with consumer-directed healthcare accounts and others that may be eligible with proper documentation from a physician.

Can you buy toilet paper with HSA?

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

What happens if you swipe HSA card for groceries?

If you use your HSA for an expense other than eligible medical expenses you can subject yourself to significant IRS penalties. Inappropriate use of your HSA funds may also leave you without money to pay for your eligible medical expenses in the future.

Can I buy a treadmill with my HSA?

A treadmill may be eligible for reimbursement with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) and health reimbursement arrangement (HRA).

Can I buy shampoo with HSA?

While some exceptions may vary, shampoo is generally not eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA) or a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA).

Can you use HSA for Apple Watch?

Unfortunately the answer to this question is usually no. This is because according to the IRS, fitness trackers are used to promote what the IRS terms “general health”. Expenses under this general health definition are not considered HSA eligible expenses.

Can you buy toothpaste with HSA?

Toothpaste: HSA Eligibility

Toothpaste is not eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA) or a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA). What is toothpaste?

Can you use HSA for teeth whitening?

What Dental Services are Not Covered by My HSA? Cosmetic procedures, like teeth whitening, are not covered by your HSA funds. Neither are dental products like dental floss, toothbrushes, toothpaste, or mouthwash. Those products are out of pocket expenses.

Can I use HSA to buy probiotics?

The good news is that many probiotic supplements are eligible for purchase with HSA funds. This is because they are considered to be a "qualified medical expense" under IRS guidelines.

Do I need to report my HSA if I didn't use it?

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. The earnings in the account aren't taxed. Distributions used to pay for qualified medical expenses are tax-free.

How do they track HSA spending?

Because HSA spending is tax deductible, the IRS requires that you maintain proof that any HSA funds spent were for HSA eligible expenses. Uploading a quick photo of the receipt to TrackHSA ensures that if the IRS comes knocking, you can justify all of your HSA spending and the health tax breaks they offer.

Do I have to report HSA purchases?

When filing your taxes, you are required to file IRS Form 8889 if you (or someone on your behalf, including your employer) made contributions to your HSA, or if you received HSA distributions for the year.

Is deodorant on HSA?

Preventative care that is not doctor prescribed is not always HSA eligible. Some examples of common healthcare expenses that fall into this category are: Vitamins, nutritional, and herbal supplements for general health. Personal hygiene items such as toothpaste and deodorant.

Can you buy sunscreen with HSA?

Sunscreen: HSA Eligibility. Sunscreen is eligible for reimbursement with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), and health reimbursement accounts (HRA). They are not eligible for reimbursement with dependent care flexible spending accounts and limited-purpose flexible spending accounts (LPFSA) ...