HSA as a Tax Savings Strategy.
Tax Saving Strategy
I’m sure you have heard of HSA as a tax savings strategy. Now, let’s talk more about it, in case, you missed out on the key benefits. Let’s start by saying that a Health Savings Account (HSA) is a tax-advantaged (pre-tax) savings account. Its purpose is to save for any current and/or future medical expenses. The HSA is also a great tax savings strategy. The money in your HSA never expires, no matter what happens in your job or even when you retire. Compared to flexible spending accounts (FSAs), any unused HSA funds roll over, without limits, each year. How to use your HSA, so you benefit from it tax-wise? You can use your HSA to pay for some or all of your qualified medical expenses each year and let the rest of the money in your HSA accumulate for future use, including in retirement. Since HSA contributions are tax-deductible or pre-tax, if you withdraw any HSA funds and don’t use them to pay for qualified medical expenses, you will have to pay income tax and a penalty. Don’t let these words scare you. The money you put in your HSA is pre-tax, so you never paid tax on it, to begin with. Unlike, your pre-tax retirement accounts, HSA withdrawals (that are spent on qualified medical expenses) are STILL tax-free. HSA has high deductibles, but their monthly premiums are lower than plans with lower deductibles.HSA as a business expense? Normally (exceptions apply), contributions to an HSA made by an employer of an eligible employee are not included in the employee’s income and are not subject to federal income tax, and FICA. And yes, employer contributions to employees’ HSA are deductible as a business expense to the company. Are there limits to your HSA contributions? The maximum contribution amounts (for 2020) are $3,550 for an individual and $7,100 for a family. If you are 55+ years of age, you can contribute an additional $1,000. The limit includes the total of what an individual and their employer contribute all together. According to Taylor Tepper at Bankrate.com, (https://www.bankrate.com/banking/savings/problem-with-health-savings-accounts/) HSA is the most tax-preferred savings vehicle in American history?. She also called them a sweet kiss from Uncle Sam I found that pretty descriptive. What are the disadvantages of HSA? Unfortunately, you pay more out-of-pocket costs than if you have health insurance plans that are not tied to your HSA. Also, you cannot roll over or transfer an HSA account balance to another person’s HSA. It is like you are transferring your paycheck to a different employee. So, this would not be allowed.
So, the worst-case scenario is if you never use your HSA and have to now withdraw money from it. What happens then? You’ll pay income tax and a penalty. Your income tax will be based on your tax bracket. The penalty is 20 percent. I would say, everyone needs to pay medical bills from time to time, especially as we get older. So, in reality, you can be saving up in your HSA simply as an addition to your retirement accounts. As always, when you deal with the IRA and taxes, there is a recordkeeping requirement.
Finally, what is covered by an HSA? Such medical expenses as regular medical treatments, chiropractic or dental expenses, fertility expenses, wheelchairs, and of course prescription medications. Deadlines to contribute? You (or your employer) can contribute any time during the calendar year and up to April 15 of the following tax year.
Let’s see how HSA works:
Single Taxpayer (2020)
| Income | IRA (taxed later) | HSA (not taxed if used for medical) | Tax Bracket | Tax Due |
| $49,000 | 22% | $10,780 | ||
| -$6,000 | -$3,550 | 12% | $4,734 | |
| Income taxed later | $,6000 | 12% | $720 | |
| Potential TOTAL Savings | $5,326 |
