Do you have a health Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account, or similar plan through your employer? The IRS is warning about misinformation that could lead to serious mistakes.
Tax Implications to Be Aware of After a Job Loss
Despite the generally robust job market, some people are still losing their jobs. If you’re laid off or terminated from employment, taxes are probably the last thing on your mind. However, you may face tax implications due to your changed personal and professional circumstances. Depending on your situation, these can be complex and require you to make decisions that may affect your tax picture, both this year and in the future.
HSA Limits Increase for 2024
Contributions to a Health Savings Account (HSA) are used to pay the current or future medical expenses of the account owner, their spouse, and any qualified dependent and are adjusted annually for inflation. For 2024, the annual inflation-adjusted contribution limit for a Health Savings Account (HSA) increases to $4,150 for individuals with self-only coverage (up $300 from 2023) and $8,300 for family coverage (up $550 from 2023). The additional catch-up contribution for individuals aged 55 or older before the end of the tax year remains at $1,000.
Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangements
Small employer HRAs or QSEHRAs (Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangements) allow small businesses without group health plans to set aside money, tax-free, for employees to use toward medical expenses – including the cost of buying health insurance. Here’s what small business owners need to know about QSEHRAs.
HSA Limits Increase Significantly for 2023
Contributions to a Health Savings Account (HSA) are used to pay the account owner’s current or future medical expenses, their spouse, and any qualified dependent and are adjusted annually for inflation. For 2023, the annual inflation-adjusted contribution limit for a Health Savings Account (HSA) increases to $3,850 for individuals with self-only coverage (up $200 from 2022) and $7,750 for family coverage (up $450 from 2022).
Tax Benefits of Health Savings Accounts
While similar to FSAs (Flexible Savings Plans) in that both allow pretax contributions, Health Savings Accounts or HSAs offer taxpayers several additional tax benefits. Let’s take a look:
Health Savings Account — HSA Limits Increase for 2022
Contributions to a Health Savings Account (HSA) are used to pay current or future medical expenses of the account owner, his or her spouse, and any qualified dependent and are adjusted annually for inflation. For 2022, the annual inflation-adjusted contribution limit for a Health Savings Account (HSA) increases to $$3,650 for individuals with self-only coverage (up $50 from 2021) and $7,300 for family coverage (up $100 from 2021).
Self-Employed During the Pandemic? Washington Did Not Forget You
You report your business income as self-employed on Schedule C of your Form 1040 if you
- receive 1099 income,
- operate your business as a single-member LLC and did not elect corporate status,
- operate a retail establishment or professional practice as a sole proprietor, or
- report your W-2 income on a Schedule C because you are a statutory employee.
In the past, when times were bad, your government made no special effort to help you as a self-employed individual. For example, you had no “safety net” such as existed for employees who lost their jobs. You were just supposed to suck it up until things got better.
But this time, with COVID-19, it’s different.
Highlights of the American Rescue Plan Act Information
Signed into law on March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) contains several tax provisions affecting individuals and families. Let’s take a look:
Personal Protective Equipment Qualifies for Deduction
As a quick reminder, the purchase of personal protective equipment, such as masks, hand sanitizer, and sanitizing wipes, for the primary purpose of preventing the spread of coronavirus are deductible medical expenses.