dmertz
Level 15

Deductions & credits

As I understand it, the issue is what to do about the $1,350 excess HSA contribution for 2016.

Regardless of what you do, your tax return will have to include as Other Income the $1,350 if that $1,350 was excluded from box 1 of your W-2.  Your penalty is based on the lesser of the excess contribution remaining in your HSA or the year-end balance of your HSA.  With only $833 remaining in your HSAs on December 31, 2016, your penalty is 6% of $833 = $50.  To eliminate that penalty entirely, you'll have to obtain a return of excess contribution of the remaining amount in the HSA.  If you do not request a return of excess contribution and the $833 remains at the end of 2017, you'll have another $50 penalty for 2017.

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