Submitted By: John
Answered: July 16, 2013 8:30 am

I contributed $3,000 to a health savings account (HSA) and took distributions of $2,000. How do I report this?

Contributions to an HSA are deductible from gross income (page 1 of Form 1040) even if you don’t itemize other deductions. You must file Form 8889 with your return if you had any activity in the account for the year—contributions in Part I and/or distributions in Part II. Distributions are not taxed if you used the money to pay qualified medical costs not covered by insurance. If you used the money for anything else, you’re taxed on the distribution and, if under age 65, subject to a 20% penalty reported on Form 5329.

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Tax Glossary

Appreciation in value

Increase in value of property due to market conditions. When you sell appreciated property, you pay tax on the appreciation since the date of purchase. When you donate appreciated property held long term, you may generally deduct the appreciated value.

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