Where Do I Get My HSA Tax Forms for Filing?

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) offer tax advantages for individuals with high-deductible health plans who save for medical expenses. Managing an HSA involves specific tax reporting responsibilities. Understanding where to obtain and use the necessary tax forms, and how they relate to your annual tax return, is important for maintaining an HSA.

The Primary HSA Tax Statement

The primary tax statement for HSA distributions is Form 1099-SA. Your HSA custodian is responsible for issuing this form if you took any money out of your HSA during the calendar year. It details the total amount distributed from your account.

Form 1099-SA includes the gross distribution amount in Box 1. It also indicates if the distribution was for qualified medical expenses. This form is used for reporting money withdrawn from your HSA, regardless of how the funds were used. HSA custodians typically send out Form 1099-SA by January 31st of the year following the distributions.

Accessing Your HSA Tax Statements

You can access your HSA tax statements through your HSA provider’s secure online portal. Many providers offer electronic delivery, allowing direct download. If you have not opted for electronic statements, your forms will be mailed to the address on file. Check your online account or contact your custodian if you do not receive your Form 1099-SA by mid-February.

You may also receive Form 5498-SA, which reports total contributions made to your HSA during the tax year. Unlike Form 1099-SA, Form 5498-SA is typically issued later, usually by May 31st, because contributions for the prior tax year can be made until the tax filing deadline. While your custodian reports contributions on Form 5498-SA, you are responsible for maintaining accurate records of all contributions.

Reporting HSA Activity on Your Tax Return

To report HSA activity to the IRS, you will use Form 8889, “Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).” This form consolidates information about contributions to and distributions from your HSA. It must be submitted with your federal income tax return, Form 1040.

Form 8889 requires you to report your total HSA contributions, gathered from your personal records, W-2 (for employer and payroll contributions), and potentially Form 5498-SA. You will also report distributions taken from your HSA, using information from Form 1099-SA. On Form 8889, indicate how much of your distributions were used for qualified medical expenses. If distributions were not used for qualified medical expenses, they may be subject to income tax and an additional 20% penalty tax, unless an exception applies. Completing Form 8889 helps determine any eligible tax deduction for contributions and calculate if any portion of distributions is taxable.