(BPT) - Do you have a health savings account (HSA)? If not, it may be time to consider establishing one.
An HSA is a tax-advantaged account you can use with an HSA-eligible health plan to pay or save for qualified medical expenses. In other words, it's a tax-smart way to tackle your health care and create a strong foundation for your future health needs.
Read on to discover the three HSA features that can help you with taxes and grow your wealth to pay for other expenses down the line.
1. Triple tax advantage
One of the most useful HSA features is its triple tax advantage:
- First and foremost, because HSA contributions are tax-free, they can reduce your taxable income, allowing you to save money.
- Your contributions also grow tax-free, allowing you to save for expected and unforeseen medical expenses.
- Finally, contribution withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are also tax-free.
2. Rollover funds
Unlike an FSA, an HSA is not a use-it-or-lose-it tool. You don't forfeit any money you don't spend in a given year. The funds roll over year-to-year, and you're never required to use them. You can simply let your money grow tax-free until you want or need to use it.
The money you put into your HSA stays yours no matter what. So, if you start an HSA account in conjunction with an employer-provided high-deductible health care plan, you can take that HSA money with you if you change jobs. You can also transfer the funds to another HSA account if needed. That's why it's one of the best ways to save for qualified medical expenses this year and for many years to come.
3. Contribution limits
Your HSA can be a powerful tool for your taxes and health care expenses as long as you know and follow the IRS's rules for this type of account.
Each year, there are set limits on how much you can contribute to your HSA. For example, in 2024, contributions were capped up to $4,150 if you were covered by a high-deductible health plan just for yourself or $8,300 if you had coverage for your family.
Contribution limits change every year based on inflation. So, for the 2025 tax year, you can contribute up to $4,300 for yourself or $8,550 for your family. Also, at age 55, you can contribute an additional $1,000 a year.
Pay attention to the IRS contribution limits and contribute to your HSA ahead of the tax deadline to reduce your taxable income.
Are you ready to save?
If you're ready to take advantage of these three HSA features, consider opening an account with Fidelity Investments.
Fidelity HSAs are rated #1 HSA by Morningstar for six years in a row. There's no minimum balance to invest, and you'll have access to the company's brokerage platform, offering the widest range of options for any investor. Best of all, Fidelity HSA's competitive cash rate - 4.04% (as of Feb. 19) - means your money always has potential to grow.
Whether you are saving for expenses now or investing for the future, Fidelity can help your money work harder for you. To learn more about how an HSA can help you this tax season and beyond, visit Fidelity.com/WhyHSA.
