Can I Take Money Out of My HSA and Put It Back?

If you are wondering whether you can take money out of your Health Savings Account (HSA) and put it back, the answer is both yes and no. Let's delve into the details to understand how HSAs work and the rules surrounding them.

HSAs are a great way to save for medical expenses while taking advantage of tax benefits. They are only available to individuals enrolled in a high-deductible health plan (HDHP). Here are some key points to consider:

• Contributions to an HSA are tax-deductible and funds in the account grow tax-free.
• Withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are tax-free.
• Any unused funds roll over year after year, unlike a Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
• However, there are certain restrictions when it comes to taking money out of an HSA:

Can you take money out of an HSA and put it back?

In general, you can take money out of your HSA at any time for qualified medical expenses without facing taxes or penalties. But if you withdraw funds for non-medical purposes before age 65, you will incur a 20% penalty in addition to paying income taxes on the amount.

Here are important points to consider:

• If you use HSA funds for qualified medical expenses but later find that you didn't need them, you can put the money back into your HSA within 60 days without penalties.
• If you withdraw funds for non-qualified expenses and want to return them to your HSA, the amount will be treated as excess contributions and may be subject to penalties.
• After age 65, you can withdraw funds for any reason without penalties, although the withdrawals will be taxed as regular income if not used for qualified medical expenses.
• Contributions to an HSA can be made until you enroll in Medicare, which means you can continue adding funds even after age 65 if you're still working and covered by an HDHP.

It's crucial to keep accurate records of your HSA transactions to avoid any potential issues with the IRS. Consult with a financial advisor or tax professional for personalized guidance on managing your HSA effectively.

You can indeed withdraw money from your Health Savings Account (HSA) for qualified medical expenses and, in certain situations, put that money back in without facing penalties.