Comments on: Employer Contributions to HSAs – Tax reporting tidbits

By: WPJ

WPJ — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:17:23 +0000

I have not seen a definitive answer either. Our experience has been that, in the absence of specific guidance on HSAs, it is usually best to use the IRA regs as a proxy. You will notice that many of the guidelines for timing of contributions are in lock step with the IRA regs.

By: WPJ

WPJ — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:05:37 +0000

Neither can I. Generally, when the IRS is silent on a topic, we find out later that they have chosen to follow existing IRA regs, as the HSA and IRA are similar. MY suggestion would be to use the IRA guidelines as a rule.

By: Beth

Beth — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:46:00 +0000

Has the IRS ever stated a time frame in which the employee salary deferred contributions need to be made after a pay period by the employer? For example, SIMPLE IRAs, contributions must be made within 30 days after the end of the month in which the amounts would otherwise have been payable to the employee in cash. But there does not seem to be a hard fast rule for HSAs.

I have not been able to find a definite answer to this question anywhere!

By: WPJ

WPJ — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:59:29 +0000

The employer contribution is not counted as income. It , along with the $100 employee money, is reported in box 12, code W on the W-2. The $100 reduces the employee’s income (and subsequently the FICA, state and Federal taxes).

By: Jini Allen

Jini Allen — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:59:14 +0000

Thank you – I’ve been wondering about the reporting aspects of our contributions and Aetna reps could not come up with the answer…you have!!! =)

By: Tara Cook

Tara Cook — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 04:15:38 +0000

I have a question regarding the employer contributions to an employees HSA through a Section 125. Let’s say employee X contributions $100/mo. to their HSA and the employee matches it $50/mo. The $100 employee amount goes through pre-tax, but the $50. is an employer contribution. Is the employer amount of $50/mo. supposed to reduce the employees FUTA tax, Federal/State etc?