What Happens If You Over Contribute to HSA?

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are a great way to save for medical expenses while enjoying tax benefits. However, it's essential to understand the contribution limits to avoid any potential issues. If you contribute more than the allowable amount to your HSA, you may face penalties and extra taxes.

When you over contribute to your HSA, the excess amount is subject to excess contribution tax. This tax is set by the IRS and can amount to 6% of the excess contribution amount. It's crucial to monitor your contributions throughout the year to ensure you stay within the limits.

If you realize that you've over contributed to your HSA, you can correct the excess amount by the tax filing deadline, typically April 15 of the following year. To correct the excess contribution, you need to withdraw the excess amount as well as any earnings it may have generated.

It's important to note that not all contributions count towards the excess amount. Employer contributions, rollover contributions, and qualified HSA funding distributions are generally not considered excess contributions. Be sure to keep detailed records of all HSA transactions to accurately track your contributions.

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are fantastic financial tools that provide a triple tax advantage for saving for medical expenses. To maximize those benefits, it's vital to adhere to the annual contribution limits set by the IRS. Exceeding these limits can result in penalties and extra taxation.