How to Remove Excess Contributions to an HSA?

If you've unintentionally over contributed to your Health Savings Account (HSA), don't worry - there are steps you can take to rectify the excess funds. Excess contributions can occur when you or your employer put more money into the HSA than the allowed yearly limit set by the IRS. To remove these excess contributions, follow these steps:

1. Determine the Excess Amount: Calculate how much you've contributed over the annual limit set by the IRS. For 2021, the limit for an individual is $3,600 and $7,200 for a family.
2. Contact Your HSA Provider: Reach out to your HSA provider to inform them about the excess contribution and request a removal of the extra funds.
3. Request a Distribution: Ask your HSA provider to process a distribution for the excess amount. This withdrawal is necessary to avoid penalties on the over-contributed funds.
4. Report the Withdrawal: When filing your taxes, make sure to report the distribution of excess contributions on Form 8889. This will help in avoiding tax penalties.
5. Monitor Future Contributions: To prevent future over-contributions, keep track of your HSA contributions and ensure they stay within the IRS limits each year.

Removing excess contributions to an HSA is a straightforward process that requires timely action and communication with your HSA provider. By following these steps, you can correct any over-contributions and avoid penalties on your HSA funds.

Sometimes, even the best of us can accidentally over-fund our Health Savings Account (HSA). The first step in resolving this is understanding how much you've over-contributed. For 2021, remember that contributions are limited to $3,600 for individuals and $7,200 for families. Once you've calculated your excess amount, don't hesitate to reach out to your HSA provider for assistance in removing those extra funds.