Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) allow you to pay for eligible expenses using tax-free dollars. Important: There is a “use it or lose it” rule imposed by the IRS. If you do not spend all the money in your FSA by March 31 of the following year for expenses incurred from January 1 – December 31, unused dollars will be forfeited per IRS regulations for pretax contributions.

     The Two Types of FSAs Are:

      Plan Information

      Plan Name: XXXX

      Policy Number: #XXXX

      Effective Date: XX/XX/XXXX

      Network: XXXX

      Healthcare FSA

      Contribute up to $3,300 per year, pretax, to pay for copays, prescription expenses, lab exams and tests, contact lenses and eyeglasses.

      Dependent Care FSA

      Contribute up to $5,000 per year ($2,500 if married and filing separate tax returns), pretax, to pay for daycare expenses associated with caring for elder or child dependents that are necessary for you or your spouse to work or attend school full-time. You cannot use your Healthcare FSA to pay for Dependent Care expenses.

      Use It or Lose It

      Note: There is a “use it or lose it” rule imposed by the IRS. If you do not spend all the money in your Healthcare, Limited Purpose or Dependent Care FSA by March 31 of the following year for expenses incurred from January 1 – December 31, unused dollars will be forfeited per IRS regulations for pretax contributions.

      How Much Could You Save?

      Here’s an example. Let’s say Tom decides to set aside $2,000 in an FSA for the year. Normally, on that money, he’d pay $560 in federal income tax, $100 in state income tax, and $153 in FICA tax. So, by contributing that $2,000 to his FSA, he’ll get an $813 tax savings for the year.

      Without the FSA, Tom would pay:

      • 28% in federal income tax: $560 savings
      • 5% in state income tax: $100 savings
      • 7.65% in Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax: $153 savings

      His total tax savings for the year with an FSA: $813