What is the FSA Stockpiling rule?
Asked by: Carmella Wolf | Last update: October 31, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (21 votes)
Do you lose money in FSA if you don't use it?
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.
What are the IRS rules regarding FSA accounts?
Facts about Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
They are limited to $3,300 per year per employer. If you're married, your spouse can put up to $3,300 in an FSA with their employer too. You can use funds in your FSA to pay for certain medical and dental expenses for you, your spouse if you're married, and your dependents.
Can FSA be used 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.
Has the IRS announced 2025 FSA limits?
An employee who chooses to participate in an FSA can contribute up to $3,300 through payroll deductions during the 2025 plan year.
What is an FSA (Flexible Spending Account?)
What is the FSA limit for 2024?
For the 2024 benefit period, you can contribute up to a maximum of $3,200 - an increase of $150 from the 2023 benefit period. You may also carry over unused funds up to a maximum of $640 into 2025 - an increase of $30 from the 2023 benefit period as long as you re-enroll.
Can you carry over FSA funds in 2025?
For the 2025 benefit period, you can contribute up to a maximum of $3,300 - an increase of $100 from the 2024 benefit period. You may also carry over unused funds up to a maximum of $660 into 2026 - an increase of $20 from the 2024 benefit period, as long as you re-enroll.
Is an Apple Watch FSA eligible?
Likely not. While your Apple Watch, Garmin, or other tracker may offer you some insight—and maybe even some encouragement—to stay on top of your fitness routine, they are not typically considered medical devices for purposes of FSA and HSA funds.
Can FSA pay 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.
Is toilet paper FSA eligible?
Here are examples of items and expenses that are not FSA-eligible for 2024: General health items: toiletries like toothpaste, toilet paper, or shampoo, cosmetic products, vitamins and supplements (without a prescription) Non-medical equipment: car seats, strollers, non-medical exercise equipment.
Does IRS check FSA receipts?
IRS rules require that all FSA and HRA claims be substantiated. If the claim cannot be auto-substantiated, the employee is required to submit documentation to support the claim. You should save itemized receipts and documentation for all health care services—even when you paid using your payment card.
Are diapers FSA eligible?
Regular diapers for newborns and infants are not FSA eligible because they do not treat a medical condition, but rather aid a healthy function of the body. There are some ways to save, however, including sales, coupons, buying in bulk or joining rewards programs.
Where does the money go in a FSA use it or lose it?
Generally, you must use funds within the plan year or before your employment ends, whether through termination or resignation. If you quit or lose your job, any unspent funds in your FSA go back to your employer.
What is a disadvantage of an FSA?
However, there are also some disadvantages to be aware of. One of the best known is the “use it or lose it” feature. Any amounts contributed to an account and not spent by the end of the year are forfeited to the employer. However, an IRS ruling issued a few years ago softened this deadline considerably.
Can FSA be used for dental?
Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) allow employees to make tax-free contributions for various medical or dental expenses. Distributions are free, provided they are used for qualified medical expenses. In most circumstances, you can use your FSA for non-cosmetic dental procedures.
Can I cash out my FSA?
You can't withdraw money from an ATM
One of those is that the money can only be spent on FSA-eligible expenses. The easiest way to be sure your purchases are eligible is to shop at a store that exclusively sell FSA-eligible items (hint: FSAstore.com).
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.
Can FSA pay for massage?
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).
Is Planet fitness FSA eligible?
Can you use flexible spending account (FSA) funds to pay for a gym membership or exercise classes? Typically, no. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) usually doesn't allow funds from an FSA to pay for membership dues at health clubs or gyms.
Can I use my FSA to buy a treadmill?
If you have a letter from a medical professional stating that exercise equipment is a medical necessity, your FSA can cover it.
Are air purifiers FSA eligible?
Air purifiers are generally not eligible for reimbursement. An air purifier may be eligible for FSA reimbursement with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) only if you are using it to relieve or alleviate a specific medical condition and you would not otherwise have purchased it.
Is sunscreen FSA eligible?
You can use your flexible spending account (FSA) to buy broad-spectrum sunscreens with a minimum SPF of 15 using pretax dollars. A variety of items that offer sun protection, including lip balms, lotions, and moisturizers, might also qualify for these funds. Many FSA plans offer debit cards to make using funds easier.
What is the stockpiling rule for FSA?
All over-the-counter expenses are also subject to an IRS rule against stockpiling. This means you may not purchase over-the-counter medicines or products in “stockpile” quantities (quantities you will not be able to consume within the Plan Year). A product is considered “consumed” if the packaging is opened.
Is toothpaste FSA eligible?
For example, daily care products, like Vaseline, toothpaste, and deodorant, are not FSA-eligible expenses. Gym memberships and health insurance premiums aren't eligible either.
What happens to FSA if you quit?
Any unused money in your FSA goes back to your employer once you leave your job. If you have a healthcare FSA, you could have the option to continue access to your funds through COBRA. But you can't use your FSA contributions to pay for health insurance premiums either through COBRA or in the private market.