Health Plan And Taxes

One of the most important questions we ask ourselves daily is what health plan to choose and how it will affect our taxes. Let’s talk about FSA and HSA variants. While taxation is simply unavoidable, you may check the most beneficial option for you and your health. No matter whether you prefer a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA), you have to know their advantages.

After you get familiar with these options, we recommend you to check out the forms on health care with instructions on how to fill them out. You will find everything you need here on this website. You may even download the form and practice.

The Difference Between HSA and FSA

For those who don’t see the difference between these two accounts. The main similarity is that these two types were created to assign the pre-tax money that was left aside for medical, vision, dental, and other specified purposes.

HSA is the account that you open yourself. You can create it from your bank union. It does not matter where you are right now or where you work. You don’t even have to work to open HSA. You have to contribute to this account during the year. Your employer may help you. All you need is a High Deductible Health Plan to open HSA. Money on this account can be rolled every year, and it is a great idea for everyone who wants to see the long-term savings. You can also add more money to your account with auto deductions. Filers that are self-employed workers can open only HSA.

FSA is owned by your employer. It doesn't matter who funds it, employer of you. The main benefit of the FSA is that you can actually utilize the funds for expenses on childcare plus the services and products you receive for your own health. However, you have to remember about the rollover provision of up to $500 that you unused during the year. If you pay more within a year than you can spend, you have to go to the doctor and ask for all medical procedures in December, when your plan still works. You may still apply money for FSA from the gross pay. Every dollar that you put to the account may be counted as a tax-free deposit. You can’t open FSA if you are self-employed.

Saving Taxes

There is a deduction for the contribution you make. It works for both HSA and FSA options. In some cases, you can reduce contributions of income on the W-2 form. It does not matter what you choose, the tax bill will be decreased. If the employer pays instead of you, their contributions are not taxable either. Pay attention! Contributions to your health accounts do not cut the income taxation on Medicare and Social Security.

Tax Deduction On Medical Expenses

You may wonder why tax deduction for medical expenses is not an option for you. It would be much easier instead of buying a health account. But, there is one but the gigantic problem with this solution. You are able to deduct medical expenses only to the 7.5 percent extend of AGI (adjusted gross income). Almost all your deduction goes there. Health account id your best option.

Reliability of Accounts

It does not matter which account you decided to open: both of them may help you to relax. While there are numerous dental, vision, and medical insurances, you don’t always know what happens when you have to go into unplanned expenses. And normally, it may happen to anyone. Will the health plan still be there when you need it the most? Of course, it depends on the plan you have bought and your health. At the same time, FSA and HSA offer you reliable protection. It is a safety net for you and a pause from specific taxes that are unavoidable.

Which Account To Choose?

It depends on your own lifestyle and preferences. You have to choose carefully. Both of them are beneficial to clients. We advise you to check out your tax papers and the reliability of your work. If you are looking for something solid, you may try HSA. This account is great when you have unreliable work and you don’t know whether you are going to stay there for the whole year or not. In other cases, try FSA. Apply for it from gross pay and save the money. Remember that you are a self-employed businessman you can’t open FSA.

Don’t forget to tell us about your account. If you don’t have one, explain your thoughts on this topic as well. Why do you prefer one of these accounts?