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Level 1
posted Jun 6, 2019 9:36:40 AM

I made a contribution to my HSA with after tax dollars. When I added the amount into turbotax Deluxe, it reduced my refund. It should have increased it. I'm not at limit.

I figured this out. I had to complete the section in Turbotax in order for the increase in the refund to appear. 

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1 Best answer
Level 13
Jun 6, 2019 9:36:41 AM

First, you need to complete the HSA interview (go all the way to the end until you are returned to "Your Tax Breaks") - there are questions all the way to the end that affect your HSA benefit.

Second, because of this, TurboTax has to make asynchronous calculations behind the scenes that can be out of sync with the screen you are on. This is why it's not a good idea to watch the refund meter too closely while doing your tax return.

Your after-tax dollar contribution should appear on line 2 of your 8889 and on line 12 of Schedule 1 (1040). If your after-tax contribution is located on those two lines, then your return is correct.

 

[Edited 3/11/2020 3:22 pm CDT - updated form reference to 2019]

2 Replies
Level 13
Jun 6, 2019 9:36:41 AM

First, you need to complete the HSA interview (go all the way to the end until you are returned to "Your Tax Breaks") - there are questions all the way to the end that affect your HSA benefit.

Second, because of this, TurboTax has to make asynchronous calculations behind the scenes that can be out of sync with the screen you are on. This is why it's not a good idea to watch the refund meter too closely while doing your tax return.

Your after-tax dollar contribution should appear on line 2 of your 8889 and on line 12 of Schedule 1 (1040). If your after-tax contribution is located on those two lines, then your return is correct.

 

[Edited 3/11/2020 3:22 pm CDT - updated form reference to 2019]

Level 13
Jun 6, 2019 9:36:43 AM

I just saw your extra comment - congratulations on figuring it out!