What Happens if You Overcontribute to Your HSA?

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are a great way to save money for medical expenses while enjoying tax benefits. However, there are rules and limits that must be followed to avoid penalties. One common concern among HSA account holders is what happens if they overcontribute to their accounts.

If you contribute more money to your HSA than the allowed limit set by the IRS, you may face financial consequences. Here's what happens if you overcontribute to your HSA:

• Excess Contribution Penalty: The IRS imposes a penalty tax of 6% on the excess amount you contribute to your HSA. This penalty is applied each year the excess amount remains in your account.
• Corrective Action: To rectify an overcontribution, you must remove the excess amount from your HSA. The deadline to correct the excess contribution is the tax filing deadline for the year.
• Reporting Requirements: You must report the excess contribution and the corrective action taken on IRS Form 8889 when filing your taxes.

It's essential to monitor your HSA contributions throughout the year to prevent overcontributions. Here are some tips to help you avoid exceeding the contribution limits:

• Keep track of the IRS annual contribution limits for individual and family coverage.
• Consider contributions made by your employer when determining your allowable contributions.
• Proactively adjust your contributions if your employment or coverage status changes during the year.



Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are an incredible tool to manage your healthcare expenses while receiving tax advantages. However, it's crucial to adhere to IRS regulations to avoid unwanted consequences. Should you happen to accidentally overcontribute to your HSA, it could lead to some penalties.