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Tax-Advantaged Accounts

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Last updated date: 10/14/2024

Overview

Important!

Limits for tax-advantaged accounts will change on January 1, 2025. Learn more.

You can save money on health care and dependent care expenses by paying for them with tax-advantaged accounts.

Account Options

  • Health Savings Account (HSA): Available only to employees who enroll in the CDHP medical plan
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs):
    • Health Care FSA: Available to employees who do not enroll in an HSA with the CDHP medical plan
    • Limited Purpose FSA: Available to employees who are enrolled in the CDHP plan and have opened an HSA
    • Dependent Care FSA: Available to all employees

Key Features

Tax-free money

Money goes in tax-free and comes out tax-free when it’s used for eligible expenses

Convenient payroll deductions

Contribute to your accounts easily and effortlessly

Helpful budgeting tool

Plan for upcoming expenses by setting aside money each paycheck

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Compare health accounts

HSA vs FSAs

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Access your account

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What's eligible*?

*Please note: When the CARES Act was signed into law, over-the-counter drugs and medicines became eligible expenses for your HSA and FSA funds without a prescription. You can now purchase pain relief, cold and flu, allergy, and heartburn medications and menstrual products, such as pads or tampons, with your HSA or FSA.

For more details and to enroll, visit Workday. Note: You must re-enroll in these accounts each year if you wish to participate; your elections do not carry over from one year to the next.

How much could you save?

Here’s an example. Let’s say Tom decides to set aside $2,000 in an HSA or FSA for the year. Normally, on that money, he’d pay $560 in federal income tax, $100 in state income tax, and $153 in FICA tax. So, by contributing that $2,000 to his HSA or FSA, he’ll get an $813 tax savings for the year. Use the ALEX GO tool to estimate the tax-saving potential you could have by contributing to an HSA or FSA.

His total tax savings for the year with an HSA or FSA..........

Without an HSA or FSA, Tom would pay … Savings
28% in federal income tax……………………………………………………….. $560
5% in state income tax……………………………………………………………. $100
7.65% in Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax…………. $153
Total $813

This hypothetical illustration is for educational purposes only. Dollar amounts or savings will vary depending on income, state and city tax rules, and other factors. Please consult a tax, legal, or financial advisor about your own personal situation.

Health Savings Account

If you enroll in the CDHP medical plan, you’re eligible to open and contribute money to a Health Savings Account (HSA) through HealthEquity. The HSA is a tax-free savings account you can use to pay for eligible health expenses anytime, even in retirement.

HSA Features

Put money in tax-free.
  • Contribute to your HSA through pre-tax payroll deductions (up to annual limits).
  • Change your contribution amount anytime.*
Pay for care tax-free.**
Carry unused money over.
  • All the money in your HSA is yours to keep, year after year.
  • You can build up savings to pay for future health care expenses. You can even invest your money once it reaches a minimum balance, which gives you the potential for tax-free earnings growth and a way to plan ahead for your medical costs in retirement.

* Note: The minimum annual HSA election is $260.

**Money in an HSA can be withdrawn tax-free as long as it is used to pay for qualified health-related expenses. If money is used for ineligible expenses, you will pay ordinary income tax on the amount withdrawn, plus a 20% penalty tax if you withdraw the money before age 65.

Contribution Limits

Important!

Limits will change on January 1, 2025. Learn more.

The limits on total contributions to your account are:

  • Up to $4,150 for employee-only coverage
  • Up to $8,300 for family coverage

If you are age 55 or older, you can contribute an additional $1,000 each year.

Important Note:

If you currently have an FSA account and would like to enroll in the CDHP medical plan and open a Health Savings Account (HSA), all FSA funds must be exhausted or rolled into a Limited Purpose FSA before you’ll be able to contribute to your new HSA.

Eligibility

To enroll in and contribute to an HSA, you must meet the following requirements.

  • You are covered under a Consumer Directed Health Plan (CDHP), on the first day of the month.
  • You have no other health coverage except what is permitted.
  • You aren’t enrolled in Medicare.
  • You can’t be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return.

If you meet these requirements, you are eligible for an HSA even if your spouse has non-CDHP family coverage, provided you are not covered by your spouse’s medical benefits.

The Last Month Rule

Under the last-month rule, you are considered eligible to contribute to an HSA for the entire year if you meet the individual eligibility requirements on the first day of the last month of your tax year (December 1 for most taxpayers). You are treated as having the same CDHP coverage for the entire year as you had on the first day of the last month, if you didn’t otherwise have coverage.

Tax Implications

HSA contributions are made on a pre-tax basis federally and in all states, excluding California and New Jersey. If you live in California or New Jersey, your HSA contributions will be subject to state taxes. No matter what state you live in, your HSA contributions will not be subject to federal taxes.

Flexible Spending Accounts

Using Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) lets you save on your eligible health care and dependent day care expenses. The money you set aside in an FSA comes out of your paycheck before Social Security (FICA), federal, and state income taxes are calculated, reducing your taxable income. Typically, this results in a tax savings of 15%–30%, or more!

Commuter benefit

For information about commuter benefits, contact the Workplace Experience team.

Health Care FSA

Important!

The contribution limit will change on January 1, 2025. Learn more.

Available to employees who do not enroll in an HSA through the CDHP medical plan or do not elect medical coverage through Sonos.

Choose your contribution amount carefully.

  • Contribute $260 to $3,050 annually of your pre-tax salary to help pay for eligible expenses not covered by your health care plans.
  • FSA elections are made for the entire year and cannot be changed unless you experience a qualifying life event.
  • Spend your money by using your FSA debit card, or request reimbursement for payments you’ve made.
  • Your entire annual contribution is available to you from the beginning of the plan year.
  • If you enroll in an FSA, you’ll be able to use funds for expenses incurred January 1 through March 15 of the following year.

Only use your FSA debit card for eligible expenses.

  • The Health Care FSA covers expenses such as deductibles, copays, and your coinsurance for your medical, dental, and vision plans. It may also cover some expenses not covered by any of your plans, such as LASIK and medical supplies like bandages.
  • See a list of eligible medical and dental health care expenses.
  • See a list of eligible child and dependent care expenses.
  • Always keep an itemized receipt of your transactions, in the event you are requested to substantiate a charge.
  • If you submit a claim that includes ineligible expenses, your claim will be denied and you will have to go through an appeal process to be reimbursed for your eligible expenses.
  • If you utilize your benefits card for a transaction that may be deemed ineligible, you will be requested to provide documentation of the services to prove eligibility.
  • Go to WEX to learn more about covered expenses and rules for participating.

Paying for your eligible claims with your debit card.

  • After enrolling in a Health Care FSA, WEX will send you an FSA welcome kit that includes an FSA debit card.
  • Use the card to pay for all your eligible health care expenses, and the money will be deducted from your account automatically.

Getting reimbursed for your eligible claims.

  • You can choose to pay for services out of pocket and submit claims on the WEX website to be reimbursed via either check or direct deposit into your bank account in as little as two business days from the time you submit your request.
  • To sign up for direct deposit, log in to your WEX participant account and go to My Accounts > Reimbursement Settings, change your reimbursement method to direct deposit, and then add your bank account information.

Set Up an Online Account With WEX

Simply create a login using your company pin (0103) and your Social Security number. If you have questions or need assistance, please visit WEX, or contact them directly at 866.451.3399.

Online FSA Tools

Your WEX online account gives you access to a variety of helpful tools

  • Online claim entry and account details
  • Opt in/out of communications that allow you to track the life cycle of your claim and other key FSA events
  • Access educational videos and an interactive search tool to determine expense eligibility
  • Use tax calculators to determine how much your election is saving you
  • Order a replacement FSA benefit card and track its delivery
  • View electronic Explanation of Benefits (EOBs) and make a payment directly from your spending account to your provider using your mobile device

Limited Purpose FSA

Important!

The contribution limit will change on January 1, 2025. Learn more.

Available only to employees who enroll in an HSA with the CDHP plan.

  • Contribute $260 to $3,050 to help cover eligible dental, vision, and post-deductible medical expenses.
  • FSA elections are made for the entire year and cannot be changed unless you experience a qualifying life event.
  • Spend your money by using your FSA debit card, or request reimbursement for payments you’ve made.
  • Your entire annual contribution is available to you from the beginning of the plan year.
  • If you enroll in an FSA, you’ll be able to use funds for expenses incurred January 1 through March 15 of the following year.

Dependent Care FSA

Available to all employees.

  • Each year you may set aside $260 to $5,000 (or $2,500 for married couples filing separately) of your pre-tax salary to help pay for your eligible dependent care expenses, for services in or out of your home provided by a licensed day care center, nursery school, or other licensed day care provider for dependent children up to their 13th birthday and/or elder care for any elder tax dependents you may have.
  • Choose your contribution amount during Open Enrollment. You can only change your contribution amount during the year if your personal situation changes.
  • Log in to WEX to request reimbursement for payments you’ve made. You can only receive what’s available in your account at the time you submit a claim.
  • Unused money does not carry over at the end of each year — use it or lose it.

Compare Tax-Advantaged Accounts

Important!

Certain details will change on January 1, 2025. Learn more.


HSA Limited Purpose FSA Health Care FSA Dependent Care FSA
Available with… CDHP CDHP PPO Classic
HMO plans (also available if you waive medical coverage)
All plans
(also available if you waive medical coverage)
Change your contribution amount anytime Yes No No No
Access your entire annual contribution amount starting January 1 No Yes Yes No
Access only funds that have been deposited Yes No No Yes
“Use it or lose it” at year-end No Yes (no carryover allowed) Yes (no carryover allowed) Yes (no carryover allowed)
Money is always yours to keep Yes No No No