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How do I report an unclaimed property payment that is from an old HSA account?

I recently claimed an unclaimed property, which was an old HSA account that I have forgotten about. They sent me the check with the full amount. I understand that I may get a 1099 before the next tax season. However, because this is funds from an HSA account, would I need to report the amount as a HSA distribution? Or will the 1099 (they may send) take care of that information for me?

 

I'm still under the retirement age, and still working, if that makes a different.

 

Also, am I able to put this back with my new HSA account without penalty?

 

Thanks in advance!

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5 Replies
Cynthiad66
Expert Alumni

How do I report an unclaimed property payment that is from an old HSA account?

I suggest waiting for the form you receive from the Unclaimed property, but this is now taxable income.  You may receive a form from your Bank about the dormant account.  

 

Your options are limited now because you did not address this issue while the funds were still in the account.

 

What to do With Your Dormant HSA

 

But at least 24 percent of the 20 million-plus Americans with these accounts leave them inactive, according to research firm Devenir.

 

Some may have simply have forgotten they opened the accounts in the first place.

When an HSA account sits for too long with no activity, the bank holding it has several options, one of which is to turn the money over to the state as unclaimed funds.

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How do I report an unclaimed property payment that is from an old HSA account?

Thank you for the reply 🙂

 

My concern is not knowing how to best report this. I'm assuming I will need to report it as an HSA distribution and not a miscellaneous income. But, I will wait for the 1099 and/or any follow-up information from the bank and go from there.

How do I report an unclaimed property payment that is from an old HSA account?

Unfortunately, the IRS view on unclaimed funds is that they are taxed according to what they were originally.  (Wages should be taxed as wages, if the funds represent a dormant stock account you have to estimate your basis and gains, and so on.)  So technically, this is an HSA distribution.

 

If you contacted your current HSA and told them you had rollover funds, they would probably accept the rollover, as long as it was within 60 days of receiving the money from the unclaimed property fund.  However, the IRS might have a problem since the money was withdrawn from the old bank more than 60 days ago, so they might send you a letter asking questions.  You can reply with a description of what happened, copies of the letter from the unclaimed fund, copies of the check, and showing that you completed the rollover within 60 days.  It might be allowed. 

 

Or, keep the money.  Do you have any medical expenses over the past few years (since the time that old account was opened) that you have not submitted reimbursement for?  You can apply the money toward old medical expenses, or toward new medical expenses that occur before the end of 2023 (if you got the check in 2023).   If you use up the money for qualified medical expenses, then none of it will be taxable.  

 

Or if you have no medical expenses to use up the money, then technically it is a non-qualified HSA distribution subject to income tax and a 20% penalty.  

 

I suspect the state won't send any 1099, or if they do, it will be a generic 1099-MISC.  Once you decide whether you will try a rollover or use the money for qualified expenses, then wait and see if you even get a 1099, then next year you can report it in a way that will reflect your treatment of the money now (as taxable or not taxable for one reason or the other). 

How do I report an unclaimed property payment that is from an old HSA account?

I appreciate the detailed response!

 

From what you wrote, I'm leaning towards the HSA distribution route, because I feel that would be the cleanest way to report it.

 

If the total amount of the distribution was much larger, I would consider the trouble to roll it back in, even if it may take a few back and forth with the IRS.

 

Thanks!

How do I report an unclaimed property payment that is from an old HSA account?

As a distribution, it’s nontaxable as long as you can identify some medical expenses to apply it towards.  

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