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Your employer offers you the opportunity to participate in three different Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) administered by Paylocity: a Health Care Flexible Spending Account, a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, and a Limited Purpose Flexible Spending Account. Each account allows you to set aside money to pay for certain expenses on a pre-tax basis.
Triple Tax Advantage with an FSA
The money you contribute to an HSA/FSA is never taxed.
*You must actively re-enroll each year to participate in a Flexible Spending Account by making an annual contribution election during Open Enrollment. Once you elect a contribution amount, you cannot change that amount during the plan year, unless you experience a qualifying change of status event.
Health Care Flexible Spending Account
This account allows you to pay for a wide range of unreimbursed medical, dental, and vision care expenses with pretax dollars. The following over-the-counter items are now eligible for FSA spending: Acid Controllers, Allergy & Sinus Medications, Antibiotic Products, Anti Itch & Insect Bite, Digestive Aids, Laxatives, Pain Relievers, Respiratory Treatments, Sleep Aids & Sedatives, Stomach Remedies, and Menstrual Supplies.
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
This account is designed for you to pay, with pretax dollars, for qualified childcare expenses for dependents under the age of 13 (or who are physically or mentally incapable of self-care) and for adult day-care services for dependent adults who are unable to care for themselves and live with you at least 8 hours each day. The dependent care provided must be necessary for you (and your spouse, if you are married) to work or attend an accredited school or institution on a full-time basis. Funds may not be used to pay for overnight camps, care provided by a dependent, spouse, or child under the age of 19, and care provided while you are not at work. Qualifying Dependent Care Expenses are those that enable you to be gainfully employed, including:
Dependent care services must have been “incurred,” or fully provided and completed, for the service period before you can be reimbursed for your dependent care expenses. This is important to remember because most providers require prepayment of dependent care services at the beginning of the service period before they provide dependent care services.
Important Note:
Before you enroll in a Dependent Care FSA, you should evaluate the tax advantages, as well as the impact on your tax liability and your ability to take advantage of the Dependent Care Tax Credit. For a detailed listing of eligible and ineligible expenses, refer to IRS Publication 503, which is available from the
IRS website at: https://www.irs.gov/publications/p503
Limited-Purpose Flexible Spending Account
This account is an option only available to those who elect the HDHP medical plan and open a Health Savings Account (HSA). This account is much like the Medical Care FSA, however, eligible expenses are limited to qualifying dental and vision expenses for you, your spouse, and your eligible dependents. Qualified dental expenses include cleanings, fillings, crowns, and braces. Qualified vision expenses include contact lenses, eyeglasses, eye exams, and vision correction procedures.
Important Note:
No double dipping: Expenses reimbursed under your Limited Purpose Flexible Spending Account cannot be reimbursed under any other plan or program including a Health Savings Account (HSA). Only your eligible out-of-pocket expenses may be reimbursed.
How Do Flexible Spending Accounts Work?
Each year, you decide whether you want to participate in any of the Flexible Spending Accounts.
For Health Care or Limited Purpose FSAs, your entire election amount is available to use on the first day of your plan year.
For Dependent Care FSAs, the funds are only available as they are deposited into your account. You then use your funds to pay for eligible health care or dependent care expenses.
Important Note:
If you participate in the Health Care/Limited Purpose and Dependent Care FSAs, you cannot use money from your Health Care/Limited Purpose FSA to pay for Dependent Care expenses, or vice versa.
Annual Carryover of Unused Funds
Your employer allows employees who contribute to a Health Care or Limited Purpose FSA to carry over $640 of unused amounts remaining at the end of the plan year to be paid or reimbursed for qualified medical expenses you incur in the following plan year. Only those who have FSA coverage through December 31st of the previous plan year can carry over an amount into the next plan year.
Annual Open Enrollment
If you currently contribute to a Flexible Spending Account, please note that elections for the current benefit plan year will not roll over to the new benefit plan year. You must actively re-enroll each year by making an annual contribution election during Open Enrollment.
How to Save with an FSA | With FSA | Without FSA |
---|---|---|
Your taxable income | $50,000 | $50,000 |
Pretax contribution to Health Care and Dependent Care FSA | $2,000 | $0 |
Federal and Social Security Taxes | $11,701 | $12,355 |
After-Tax dollars spend on eligible expenses | $0 | $2,000 |
Spendable income after expenses | $36,299 | $35,645 |
Tax savings with the Medical and Dependent Care FSA | $654 | N/A |
You must actively re-enroll each year to participate in a Flexible Spending Account by making an annual contribution election during Open Enrollment. Once you elect a contribution amount you cannot change that amount during the plan year, unless you experience a qualifying change of status event. |
Account Type | Maximum Annual | Last Date to Incur Expenses | Last Date to File Claims | What happens to any unused balance at the end of the year? |
---|---|---|---|---|
Health Care FSA Medical plan enrollment required | $3,200 | December 31, 2024 | March 31, 2025 | You can carry over up to $640 of your unused balance year-to-year** |
Dependent Care FSA Medical plan enrollment not required | $5,000 ($2,500 if married and filing separately) | December 31, 2024 | March 31, 2025 | Any funds left in your account at the end of the year will be forfeited |
Limited Purpose FSA HDHP Medical plan enrollment required | $3,200 | December 31, 2024 | March 31, 2025 | You can carry over up to $640 of your unused balance year-to-year** |
**Amounts in excess of $640 will be forfeited. |