There are no income restrictions, and the deduction is taken “above the line” on your Form 1040 tax return, reducing your adjusted gross income, said Patrick Stark, director of financial
planning for RS Crum Inc., a fee-only wealth management firm in Newport Beach, Calif. “Even people who don’t itemize,” he said, “are able to take advantage of an H. S.A.
Only certain health plans with high deductibles and other specific criteria qualify to work with an H. S.A., however,
so you will need to check your plan’s details before opening an account, said Roy Ramthun, an H. S.A.
(Typically, the health plan will have language noting that it is H.
Here is how a health savings account works: If you have an eligible, high-deductible health plan, you can establish an H. S.A.
and set aside funds, tax-free, to pay for medical expenses
that your insurance doesn’t cover, including co-payments and your deductible — the amount you have to pay out of pocket before insurance begins paying.
Eligible filers can make a tax-deductible contribution to a health savings account, or H.
S.A., for the 2016 tax year up until the federal filing deadline — April 18 this year.
Health Savings Accounts: Don’t Leave Money on the Table –
It is tax-filing season, and people looking for ways to lower their 2016 tax bills might want to consider funding health savings accounts.
While H. S.A.s may be a good last-minute option for those seeking a tax deduction, Mr. Stark said he preferred
that clients contribute regularly to the account each month, if they can.
As of mid-2016, there were more than 18 million health savings accounts holding nearly $35 billion in assets, according to the tracking firm Devenir.