HSA Shop logoHSA Shop

HSA Guide

Understanding HSA Balance and Taxes - Why Do You Have to Give HSA Balance on Taxes?

Published December 20, 2024

Check eligibility on the gobrowse 7,000+ HSA-eligible products in the free app.

Get the app
Short answer: HSA withdrawals used for qualified medical expenses are tax-free; non-qualified withdrawals are taxable and may include a 20% penalty if under 65, and HSA balances roll over without being taxed.

HSA basics: tax-deductible contributions

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are a great way to save money for medical expenses while reducing your taxable income. When you contribute to an HSA, the money you put in is tax-deductible, meaning you do not pay income tax on that amount.

Understanding Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) can be a game-changer for your financial wellness. Not only do these accounts help you save money for future medical expenses, but they also provide significant tax benefits. Every dollar you contribute to your HSA is tax-deductible, effectively reducing your taxable income and giving you more control over your healthcare finances.

Rules for HSA balances, taxes, withdrawals

However, it is important to understand that there are specific rules regarding HSA balances and taxes:

  • Any withdrawals used for qualified medical expenses are tax-free.
  • If you withdraw money for non-qualified expenses, you will owe income tax on that amount as well as a 20% penalty if you are under 65.
  • If you leave money in your HSA and let it grow, the balance continues to rollover year after year without being taxed.
  • When you reach 65, you can withdraw the money for any purpose without penalty, but income tax is still applicable on non-medical expenses.

Reporting: providing HSA balance on taxes

Providing your HSA balance on taxes is necessary for reporting purposes. The balance indicates the total amount of contributions made to the account for that tax year, allowing the IRS to track your HSA activity accurately.

Free App

Browse 7,000+ HSA-Eligible Products

Search by symptom, get price alerts, and build your HSA shopping list — all in the free app.

← Back to all articles