Catch up 2020 HSA contributions made in 2021

[flyjetguy]

Just got off the phone with my HSA administrator asking where to enter catch up HSA contribution for 2020. He informed me that I should enter the amount I made for 2019 tax year since I paid that amount in calendar year 2020. This makes no sense since that amount entered in 2020 turbo tax immediately changes my 2020 refund. I think he is wrong.

My question is: Should I put my personal HSA contribution amount in the 2020 turbo tax box MADE in calendar year 2021 for the TAX year 2020? Yes I know about the total max allowed with turning 55 in 2020.

[dmertz]

All contributions made for 2020 go on your 2020 Form 8889 whether made in 2020 or 2021 and you get the deduction on your 2020 tax return.  Assuming that you are eligible to make this contribution for 2020, nothing about it goes on your 2021 tax return next year.

It makes no sense that the HSA rep made any mention of your 2019 tax return if you were asking about a contribution for 2020 that you will be making in 2021.

[flyjetguy]

Thanks dmertz...that’s exactly what I thought. I asked him clearly three times to be clear I understood what he was saying. I even used example amounts. Taxes are so Byzantine already, mid-information from my account administrators only adds to the difficulty and confusion.