What is the penalty for using HSA money?

Asked by: Jane Koch I  |  Last update: November 22, 2023
Score: 4.2/5 (8 votes)

You can withdraw funds from your HSA anytime. But keep in mind that if you use HSA funds for any reason other than to pay for a qualified medical expense, those funds will be taxed as ordinary income, and the IRS will impose a 20% penalty.

Can I get in trouble for using HSA money?

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use your money for non-qualified expenses, the IRS imposes a hefty HSA withdrawal penalty of 20 percent on the amount withdrawn.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.

How can I withdraw money from my HSA without penalty?

After age 65, you can use your HSA withdrawal for non-medical expenses without paying the 20% tax penalty. New flat screen TV?

What happens if you misuse HSA?

How to fix HSA card mistakes. Unfortunately, you can't just let mistakes like this slide. You can be charged a 20% penalty if you use your HSA funds to pay for a non-qualified medical expense, which would have been $70 in my case (not to mention traditional income taxes would apply, too).

How much is the penalty for HSA?

The money you take from your HSA to pay for or be reimbursed for qualified medical expenses is tax free. If you take money before you're 65 from your HSA for non-medical costs, or medical costs that don't qualify, you'll have to pay the federal income tax and a 20% tax penalty.

HSA Withdrawal Rules, Penalty & Beneficiaries | HSA Millionaire

38 related questions found

Does HSA have 20% penalty?

If you withdraw money from an HSA for any reason other than to cover eligible medical expenses, you will be subject to a 20% penalty on the amount withdrawn unless you are age 65 or older. This 20% penalty is double the 10% penalty that applies to early 401(k) or individual retirement account (IRA) withdrawals.

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 monitor 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.

Can I use my HSA at Costco?

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.

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.

Do I have to report HSA withdrawals on my tax return?

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.

How do I prove HSA expenses?

Hold on to any insurance carrier's Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statement that documents your expenses for services covered under your HSA-eligible health plan. Keep receipts for all other items purchased with your HSA, for example, vision and dental services.

Why is my HSA being taxed?

If your funds are used for non-eligible expenditures, you may be subjected to income tax plus a 20% IRS penalty. However, that doesn't mean you should neglect your HSA. After age 65, you are allowed to withdraw from your account penalty-free for non-eligible expenses, as long as you report it as income on your taxes.

Can I use my HSA to pay rent?

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. If you use your HSA to pay rent or get a new dye job, you will end up being taxed.

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.

Does Sephora take HSA cards?

No, Sephora does not accept FSA or HSA cards in-store or online at Sephora.com. However, if you happened to buy FSA eligible sunscreen from Sephora, save your receipt and reimburse yourself!

Can I use my HSA at any time?

While you can use the funds in an HSA at any time to pay for qualified medical expenses, you may contribute to an HSA only if you have a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) — generally a health plan (including a Marketplace plan) that only covers preventive services before the deductible.

Do HSA accounts follow you?

Your HSA is your account

This account doesn't belong to your employer, so you get to take it with you wherever you go, even if your new employer doesn't offer HSAs or provide HSA contributions.

Do I have to report HSA spending?

You must always file a Form 8889 in any year you or an employer contributes money to your HSA or you make withdrawals from the account. The deduction you calculate on Form 8889 is taken on the first page of your income tax return.

Can you 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 I use my HSA internationally?

So rest assured, you can use your HSA when traveling abroad. However, there are limitations as to what you can spend your money on tax-free. And keep in mind you may also need to pay extra fees, depending on your HSA provider.

Can I use my HSA card at an ATM?

Can I use my HSA Bank Health Benefit Debit Card at an ATM? You can use your HSA card at an ATM to reimburse yourself for eligible expenses paid out-of-pocket. (A transaction fee may apply. See your HSA Bank Fee and Interest Rate Schedule.)

Does HSA ask for receipts?

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.

How far back can HSA be audited?

The math of how long you should save your HSA records include the year the expenses were made, three years for the first audit window, and three years for the second audit window. Save the receipts for a total of seven years. Scenario 2: Save receipts and reimburse yourself later tax free.

What is HSA receipt loophole?

Again, you don't have to reimburse yourself for those medical expenses in the same year, or the same plan year that you incur those medical expenses. If you incur that medical expense, you can just write it down. And then you can reimburse yourself from the HSA at a later date.