What happens if you don't use your FSA money?

Asked by: Dr. Marilie Heaney MD  |  Last update: January 18, 2024
Score: 5/5 (11 votes)

Where does the money go? 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 annual premiums in the next FSA year, or funds must be equally distributed to employees who enroll in an FSA for the next year.

What happens if I don't spend the money in my FSA?

You will forfeit any money that remains in your account. Any excess funds are kept by the employer and can be used to offset the costs of administering the program.

Can I cash out my FSA?

An FSA allows you to contribute pre-tax dollars from your salary. Your employer may also make contributions to your FSA account. You may withdraw the money tax-free if it's used for qualifying expenses.

Do you have to pay back FSA money?

Employers are not allowed to ask for money back that you spent from your FSA if you quit or retire. This is due to the Uniform Coverage rule which ensures that your Flexible Spending Account funds are available to you in full as soon as your plan year starts.

Can you roll over unused FSA money?

Rollover (Carryover)

This FSA regulation gives account holders the ability to "roll over" up to $615 (for plan years starting in 2023) into the next plan year's account to prevent a large portion of funds from being forfeited.

What happens if you don't use your FSA money?

20 related questions found

How do I spend excess FSA money?

Last-Minute Ideas for Spending your FSA Funds
  1. Review if your FSA has a carryover or grace period. ...
  2. Review your medicine cabinet. ...
  3. Schedule a dental cleaning, eye doctor appointment or physical. ...
  4. Schedule a chiropractor or acupuncture visit. ...
  5. Plan ahead for upcoming vacations. ...
  6. Check your baby supplies.

How long do I have to use FSA money?

You generally must use the money in an FSA within the plan year. But your employer may offer one of 2 options: It can provide a "grace period" of up to 2 ½ extra months to use the money in your FSA. It can allow you to carry over up to $610 per year to use in the following year.

What happens to FSA when you switch jobs?

This is crucial to remember if you're switching jobs, because unlike retirement accounts, you cannot roll the money into a new account. However, you can elect to start a new account with your new employer, even if it's within the same year. Note that your maximum contribution resets when you start a new job.

Does Costco take FSA cards?

Costco accepts a limited number of cards at the main checkout lanes, but they'll let you pay for eligible items with your HSA/FSA card at the Pharmacy or Optical counters. So to use your FSA or HSA cards at Costco, just bypass the regular checkout lines and visit the Pharmacy or Optical department instead.

What can I use my FSA debit card for?

The debit card is programmed to pay for prescription drugs at pharmacies, department stores, discount stores and grocery stores that have pharmacies. Be sure to separate your prescriptions from other expenses (including other FSA eligible purchases, such as over-the-counter items).

How does an FSA affect your tax return?

Key Takeaways. An FSA helps employees cover health-related costs not included in their insurance plans. Contributing to an FSA reduces taxable wages since the account is funded with pretax dollars. Since your FSA contribution is paid in pretax dollars, it cannot be taken as a tax deduction.

Can my FSA go negative?

You'll have a negative FSA balance, but your contributions will continue with each paycheck. At the end of the year, your FSA balance will be zero. What if you leave your job before the end of the year? You don't have to pay back the difference!

Can I use my FSA to pay for gym membership?

Yes, it could — if you prove the expense is medically necessary. General fitness expenses don't qualify for HSA/FSA use, but things change when a physician or nurse practitioner prescribes an exercise regimen.

Can I buy toilet paper with my FSA card?

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).

Does FSA work for gym membership?

Certain wellness expenses may be reimbursable through your FSA. Biometric Screenings are eligible expenses as health screens. Weight loss programs, gym membership, and fitness programs are 'potentially eligible expenses.

How does FSA affect paycheck?

An FSA is an employer-sponsored spending account that allows employees to set aside pretax earnings to pay for eligible health care or dependent care expenses. Pretax funds are deducted from each paycheck and automatically deposited into an FSA account. Employees decide how much to contribute, tax-free, for the year.

Can I use FSA to pay off old medical bills?

You can use your account to pay for eligible health care expenses for your family, regardless of the health insurance plan in which they are enrolled. 4. Can I use my Health Care FSA to reimburse outstanding medical expenses from the prior year? No, expenses must be incurred during the current plan year.

Can you have FSA at 2 jobs?

If you have concurrent FSAs because you are participating in two separate accounts with two different employers, then you can use both accounts as you would if you had one FSA. But you can only reimburse for a health expense once. So you should prioritize which account you want to use first.

Does Amazon take FSA?

Amazon has stepped up its game and is now accepting FSA and HSA cards as a payment method for eligible products. So, you can say goodbye to those last-minute trips to the store for medical supplies when you can have them conveniently delivered to your doorstep.

Can I buy toothbrush with FSA?

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 you buy vitamins with FSA?

FSA and HSAs won't cover a vitamin supplement geared toward general health and wellness. A vitamin is eligible for coverage by an FSA or HSA only if that vitamin has been recommended by a medical professional for the treatment or prevention of a specific disease or condition.

Can you use FSA for dental floss?

While it seems like they would fit under the dental care umbrella, general self-care items like toothpaste, toothbrushes, and floss are not FSA or HSA eligible.

Can I buy an Apple watch with my 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 use FSA for Invisalign?

Absolutely, you can use your HSA or FSA to pay for Invisalign aligners based on the same criteria listed above. While typically more expensive than braces, Invisalign aligners are practically invisible and removable, making them a great option for many Kristo Orthodontic patients— especially teens and adults.

Are protein shakes FSA eligible?

Protein shakes are considered nutritional supplements, and unfortunately you cannot use your flexible spending account (FSA) towards these. We get many questions about FSA eligibility at FSAstore.com, as people often wonder why protein powder is not considered an FSA eligible expense.