HSA & FSA Contribution & Reimbursement Planner
Estimate the tax savings from HSA and FSA contributions and model the HSA "shoebox" strategy.
Input medical receipts to allocate against your HSA or FSA balances, or track them out-of-pocket to compound your HSA wealth.
Model the growth of out-of-pocket receipts if left compounding in your HSA instead of immediate reimbursement.
Visualizing immediate receipt reimbursement vs. investing the cash in the HSA market portfolio.
Health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts lower your tax bill by letting you pay medical costs with pre-tax dollars — but the rules, limits and savings differ between them. This planner estimates what an HSA, an FSA, or both together save you across federal, state and payroll taxes, checks your contributions against the IRS limits, and models the "shoebox" strategy of paying medical bills out of pocket so the money keeps compounding inside an HSA. It runs entirely in your browser, so your income and medical details never leave your device.
How the savings are estimated
Contributions come off your taxable income, so the federal saving is the difference between the tax you would owe with and without them. On top of that, contributions made through payroll avoid the 7.65% Social Security and Medicare (FICA) tax, and most states let you deduct them too.
Total savings = federal tax saved + state tax saved + (payroll contributions × 7.65% FICA)
For a single filer earning $85,000 who puts $4,300 into an HSA through payroll in California, the $4,300 sits in the 22% bracket and saves about $946 in federal tax, plus $329 in FICA — roughly $1,275 in total, bringing the real cost of funding the account down to about $3,025. Notice the state saving here is $0: California (and New Jersey) do not allow a state deduction for HSA contributions, and the tool flags that with a warning so the estimate stays honest.
Limits and the HSA shoebox
The planner checks your elections against the IRS limits it has built in: $4,300 for self-only HSA coverage, $8,550 for family, plus a $1,000 catch-up at age 55 or older, and $3,300 for an FSA. Go over and it warns you, since excess HSA contributions can face a 6% excise tax. The receipt ledger lets you tag each medical cost as reimbursed from the HSA or FSA, or paid out of pocket. That last option powers the shoebox strategy: instead of reimbursing yourself now, you leave the money invested in the HSA and reimburse yourself years later. A $950 bill left to compound at 7.5% for 20 years grows to roughly $4,035 — all tax-free — because there is no deadline to reimburse a qualified HSA expense as long as you keep the receipt.
Assumptions and cautions
This is an estimate for planning, not tax or financial advice. The contribution limits shown are the figures built into the tool; the IRS adjusts HSA and FSA limits most years, so confirm the current numbers for your plan year. Federal savings use brackets and a standard deduction from a recent tax year and assume your contributions reduce income from your top bracket down. FICA savings apply only to payroll (salary-reduction) contributions — a direct HSA deposit still saves income tax but not FICA. The FSA is generally use-it-or-lose-it, and an HSA requires enrollment in a qualifying high-deductible health plan. Your real savings depend on your plan and full tax picture, so check with your benefits administrator or a tax professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this planner store my income or medical receipts?
No. Everything is calculated in your browser. Your income, contributions and receipt ledger are never uploaded or saved, and reloading the page clears them.
What is the difference between an HSA and an FSA?
An HSA pairs with a high-deductible health plan, is owned by you, rolls over year to year, and can be invested. An FSA is employer-sponsored, usually use-it-or-lose-it, and does not move with you. Both let you pay eligible medical costs with pre-tax money.
Why does the tool sometimes skip state savings on my HSA?
California and New Jersey do not conform to the federal HSA deduction, so contributions are still taxed at the state level there. When you select those states, the planner removes the HSA state saving and shows a warning; FSA state savings still apply.
Is this tax or financial advice?
No. It is general information for planning only. Contribution limits and tax figures change yearly and eligibility depends on your health plan, so consult your benefits administrator or a qualified tax professional.