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Level 1
posted Jan 11, 2024 10:21:27 AM

Regarding HSA contributions, are contributions by payroll deduction the same as personal contributions?

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1 Best answer
Level 15
Jan 11, 2024 10:29:27 AM

Contribution through pay roll deduction will be accounted for on your W-2.  If that amount was less than your maximum allowed you can make further personal contributions. 

5 Replies
Level 15
Jan 11, 2024 10:29:27 AM

Contribution through pay roll deduction will be accounted for on your W-2.  If that amount was less than your maximum allowed you can make further personal contributions. 

Level 1
Jan 11, 2024 10:34:15 AM

Thank you so much!

Level 15
Jan 11, 2024 11:25:51 AM

Under the tax code, what is really happening with your employer is that you are agreeing to a voluntary salary reduction and your employer is making the contribution for you (plus any employer match).  So all workplace contributions are employer contributions and are reported on your W-2.

 

Personal contributions are only those made directly to the HSA bank out of pocket, and not through payroll deduction. 

Level 1
Jan 11, 2024 12:06:09 PM

Thank you so much!

Employee Tax Expert
Jan 11, 2024 1:59:02 PM

In a word, "No". As Opus says, HSA contributions can be "employer" HSA contributions (even if you think you're making the deferral) or "personal" contributions (those you make directly to the HSA not through your employer).

 

The confusing thing is that these two types of contributions are treated quite differently. The "employer" contributions don't appear on your 1040 (but they do appear on form 8889) because this amount is removed from your Wages before your W-2 is even printed, while the personal contributions appear on line 13 of Schedule 1 (1040). They are also handled differently when an excess contribution is made, but I won't describe that unless you want me to.