TRC offers two tax-advantaged FSAs: the Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA. Both FSAs are administered by Alight Smart-Choice Accounts.
Health Care FSA
A Health Care FSA allows you to set aside dollars from your pay on a pre-tax basis to reimburse yourself for qualified medical, dental, and vision expenses under the Silver, Gold, or Platinum coverage levels, or if you elect no coverage.
The Health Care FSA contribution limit is $3,200 for 2024. Once you enroll and set your annual contribution, you cannot change that amount during the year (except in the case of certain qualified life events).
With the Health Care FSA,
unused dollars don’t roll over from year to year,
so it's important that you carefully estimate your anticipated eligible expenses for the coming year. You will have until March 31 of the following year to get reimbursed for any qualified expenses made during the previous plan year. You must have approved documentation by this deadline. Due to the IRS “use it or lose it” rule, any amount not used for claims that were incurred before March 15 the following year will be forfeited.
Wondering what the difference is between a Health Savings Account (HSA) and Health Care FSA? Find out.
Dependent Care FSA
A Dependent Care FSA may be used to reimburse yourself for qualified child and dependent care expenses. You may use this account without being enrolled in medical coverage.
The Dependent Care FSA contribution limit is $5,000 (or $2,500 if you are married and filing taxes separately) for 2024. Once you set your annual contribution when you enroll, you cannot change that amount during the year (except in the case of certain qualified life events).
And, with the Dependent Care FSA, you lose any unused money at the end of the year, so it's important that you carefully estimate your anticipated eligible expenses for the coming year.
Things to Consider
When deciding whether to enroll in FSAs, be sure to consider the following:
Tax savings
Do you have moderate to high health care or dependent care expenses? If so, an FSA could help reduce how much you pay in taxes.
Your expected expenses
Carefully estimate your anticipated eligible expenses for the coming year. You should only set aside FSA dollars you know you will be able to use on eligible expenses.