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A Flexible Spending Account, or FSA, can be a great way to save money on taxes. Contributions to an FSA are tax-deductible, but there are some rules to follow.
To qualify, you must have a FSA through your employer. This is a common benefit offered by many companies. Some FSAs are specifically designed for healthcare expenses, while others can be used for childcare costs or other qualified expenses.
The IRS sets limits on how much you can contribute to an FSA each year. For 2022, the annual limit is $2,850 for healthcare FSAs. This limit may change over time, so it's essential to check the IRS website for updates.
A FSA can help you save money on taxes and also provide a convenient way to pay for qualified expenses.
Types of FSAs
There are several types of FSAs that can help you save money on taxes. A Limited Purpose FSA (LPFSA) allows you to contribute up to $3,300 per year for pre-tax expenses related to vision and dental care.
You can also set up a Dependent Daycare FSA to pay for day care or elder care expenses for your IRS-qualified dependents, with a maximum contribution of $5,000 per year.
A Health Care FSA (HCFSA) is another option, allowing you to contribute up to $3,300 per year for eligible medical, dental, and vision expenses. You can use the money in your HCFSA to cover copayments and deductibles, prescription drugs, hospital charges, and more.
Here are the types of FSAs and their maximum contribution limits:
You can contribute to these FSAs through pre-tax paycheck deductions, which reduces your taxable income and saves you money on taxes.
Health Care FSA
A Health Care FSA, or HCFSA, is a great option for those who don't have a Health Savings Account. You can contribute up to $3,300 per year through pre-tax paycheck deductions.
Your contributions are deducted from your paycheck pre-tax, in equal amounts throughout the year, and deposited in your HCFSA. This means you can reduce your taxable income.
You can access your HCFSA directly through HSA Bank's member website, making it easy to manage your account. Keep your receipts to submit with your claims for reimbursement and to confirm your expenses, if requested.
You have until March 31 of the following year to file claims for expenses incurred in the current year. This gives you plenty of time to get everything sorted out.
Some of the expenses you can pay with your HCFSA include copayments and deductibles, prescription drugs, hospital charges, and more. Here's a list of eligible expenses:
- Copayments and deductibles
- Prescription drugs
- Hospital charges
- Medical equipment
- Lab fees
- Hearing exams and hearing aids
- Dental exams and dental work
- Orthodontia
- Eye exams
- Prescription glasses and sunglasses
- Contact lenses and contact lens solution
- LASIK or other eye surgery
- Insulin and diabetes testing supplies
- First-aid supplies
- Over-the-counter medications without a prescription
- Menstrual products
You can find a complete list of eligible Health Care FSA expenses in IRS Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses.
Dependent Daycare FSA
If you're a working parent or caregiver, you might be interested in a Dependent Daycare FSA, which allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars for childcare expenses.
You can contribute up to $5,000 for 2025 to pay for day care or elder care expenses for your IRS-qualified dependents.
To be eligible, both you and your spouse must work, or your spouse must be a full-time student, and you must be the custodial parent or guardian.
You can contribute up to $5,000 for 2025, and your contributions are deducted from your paycheck pre-tax, in equal amounts throughout the year, and deposited in your account.
You can pay your day care provider, then submit an FSA Day Care Claim Form, and you'll be reimbursed up to the amount deposited into your account.
Some of the expenses your Dependent Daycare FSA can reimburse you for include day care center fees, individual sitter fees, nursery school fees, and summer program fees for your dependent child under age 13.
You can find a complete list of eligible Dependent Daycare FSA expenses in IRS Publication 503, Child and Dependent Day Care Expenses.
You have until March 31 of the following year to file claims for expenses incurred in the current year.
What is a FSA?
A Flexible Spending Account, or FSA, is a voluntary tax-favored benefit available to employees enrolled in a certain type of health plan.
You can contribute up to $3,200 per year to an FSA, and if you and your spouse both work and are eligible, you can each contribute up to the annual maximum for your individual account.
FSAs are individual accounts, so you can't contribute more than the annual maximum, even if you and your spouse both work and are eligible to participate.
The maximum annual pre-tax contribution limit for a Healthcare Flexible Spending Account is $3,200 for Plan Year 2025.
How it Works
So, you're wondering how a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) works? It's actually pretty straightforward. You contribute up to the IRS limit each year ($3,050 in 2024, increasing to $3,200 in 2025) to use for qualifying health expenses, which are deducted from your paycheck before taxes are withheld.
Qualifying health expenses include copays for doctor, dentist, and optometrist visits, as well as costs for over-the-counter medications, sunscreen, and menstrual products. You can check out an alphabetical list of eligible expenses on the WEX website.
You can pay for eligible expenses with your WEX Health debit card, which is convenient. In many cases, you won't be required to submit additional documentation. If you pay eligible expenses out of pocket, you can submit your claim and documentation online or through the WEX app and you'll be reimbursed.
Here are some key rules to keep in mind:
- You can't change your FSA contributions during the year unless you experience a qualifying event, such as a change in family status or income.
- You must re-enroll annually during Open Enrollment to continue participating in the following plan year.
If you have a carryover balance in your Health FSA, you may be eligible for a Limited Purpose Flexible Spending Account (LPFSA), which has its own set of rules. The carryover amount for 2024 is $640, and the deadline to submit claims is April 15, 2025.
Benefits and Savings
Contributing to a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA) can lead to significant tax savings. By electing to have a portion of your salary deducted before taxes are taken out, you reduce your taxable income, which can lower the amount of income tax you owe.
Your contribution to a DCFSA is not subject to federal income tax, state income tax (in most states), or Social Security and Medicare taxes. This means you'll save money on taxes, and your take-home pay will increase.
Reducing your taxable income by contributing to a DCFSA can also lower your Social Security and Medicare taxes. This is a great way to save money on taxes, and it's a benefit that's available to anyone who's eligible for a DCFSA.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I report a medical FSA on my taxes?
For health FSAs, no additional forms are required with your tax return. However, you must file Form 2441 if you have a dependent care FSA.
Sources
- https://benefits.seagate.com/financial/flexible-spending-accounts
- https://nemoursbenefitsguide.com/benefits-options/spending-accounts-hsa-and-fsa/
- http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/benefits/health-welfare/health-fsa/
- https://www.militaryonesource.mil/benefits/dependent-fsa/
- https://hr.ua.edu/benefits/healthcare/tax-favored-accounts/
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