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Since this blog is dedicated to offering the most up-to-date Health Savings Account information, we want to make sure you maximize your HSA for 2011. Remember, if you were covered by an HSA qualified High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) on or before December 1st, 2011 then you have until you file your taxes (or April 17th 2012) to finish up your 2011 contributions and get a 2011 tax deduction.
2011 Contribution limits:
Single – $3050
Family – $6150
Catch up contribution (age 55 or older) $1000 per person*
2012 Contribution limits:
Single – $3100
Family – $6250
Catch up contribution (age 55 or older) $1000 per person*
*If both are 55+ then both have to open HSA accounts for both to participate in catch up contribution
These limits are also stated on the U.S. Department of Treasury website.
These maximum contributions will not be pro-rated if your HSA qualified health insurance plan (HDHP) was either in force all 12 months of 2011 OR if it was in force by December 1st of 2011 AND remains in force all 2012.
Your tax deduction is based on how much you DEPOSIT into your HSA, not how much you spend.
You do not have to itemize to get the tax deduction.
You do NOT have to pay your eligible expenses out of your HSA.
You are required to keep receipts of your eligible expenses in case the IRS audits you. You can choose to reimburse yourself at a later date up to the medical receipts you have accumulated without being subject to 20% penalty or taxable income.
The triple-tax advantages (tax deductible deposits, tax free interest earned, and tax free withdraws for eligible medical expenses) only available with HSAs make them an important tax planning tool that is unmatched when used properly.
Other statistics show that nearly half of the 11 million Americans covered by the required HDHP insurance plans have not established their HSA account, and therefore are not participating in the tax savings they offer. Although OFM Benefits is one of the nation’s premier HSA focused insurance agencies, there are probably some of you that have procrastinated setting up your account.
OFM is proud to recommend HSA Bank because of their great combination of low fees, competitive interest rates, and a large number of investment options. With over 400,000 HSA accounts and over $1 billion in HSA deposits, HSA Bank has established themselves as one of the nations leading HSA administrators. They also recently eliminated all setup fees.
As many Americans are facing huge health insurance premium increases and revenue decreases, HSA qualified plans are becoming even more popular. The average household pays over $15,000 per year for health insurance premiums! We feel HSA qualified plans offer the best value in healthcare today.
If you are self employed or a business owner and would like to receive the premium savings and tax deductions only available with HSAs, please visit www.missionHSA.com
Scott Borden
Host of “Insurance Talk with Scott & Mike” Saturday mornings 7-8 on KCMO Talk Radio 710
OFM Benefits Consulting, LLC
6400 Glenwood, Suite 307
Overland Park, KS 66202
913-432-2732
913-432-2061 fax
My HSA Guy 