How Your Plan Works

Flexible Spending Accounts are reimbursement accounts that allow you to pay for certain eligible expenses with tax-free dollars.Through a pre-tax salary deduction, you can convert taxable income into non-taxable benefits. The result is 15% to 40% more take-home pay! If you already have to pay for medical and/or dependent care expenses, why not pay for them with tax-free dollars? There are two types of FSA accounts: Health and Dependent Care.

Pre-Taxing Insurance Premiums

The Pre-taxing of Insurance Premiums is another way to save in taxes. By allowing you to pay for certain insurance premiums with pre-tax dollars, this tax-savings method enables you to convert eligible premiums from an after-tax basis to a pre-tax basis, therefore increasing your take-home pay. The nickname “Cafeteria Plan” comes from the idea that you can pick and choose the parts of the plan in which you want to participate.

Health Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Health FSAs can be used to pay for eligible medical, dental, and vision expenses that are not covered by insurance. These expenses can be incurred by you, your spouse, and your dependents.

Common Eligible Expenses

Medical expenses for cosmetic purposes are not covered. Click here to see a comprehensive list of eligible expenses.

Making Your Annual Contribution

At the time of enrollment, you must estimate the amount of money that you anticipate you and your dependents will spend during the next plan year on out-of-pocket medical expenses. Your employer will deduct an equal amount from each paycheck
on a tax-free basis and deposit the money into your health FSA.

Contribution Limits

In 2013, the IRS limited the annual health FSA maximum to $2,500. The limit is indexed for inflation based on the CPI (Consumer Price Index) beginning in 2014.

Claim Filing Deadlines

The deadline for submitting claims is the end of the “run out period,” which is typically 60 to 90 days following the end of the plan year. Claims received after the end of the run-out period will be denied.

Process for Reimbursement

Expenses must be incurred during the plan year and qualify as an eligible expense. Your total annual elected amount is available at the beginning of the plan year. You may request reimbursement anytime you have an eligible expense or wait and file at year end.

When filing for reimbursement, we must have a reimbursement request form with an itemized bill from your service provider or an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your insurance carrier in order to comply with IRS regulations.

Click here to learn more about How to File a Health FSA Claim.

“Use It or Lose It” Rule

If you contribute dollars to a flexible spending account and do not use all of the monies you deposit, you may lose any remaining balance in the account at the end of the plan year unless your employer chooses to allow you to:

• Carryover up to $500 that can be used to reimburse qualified medical expenses
  incurred during the following plan year
• A grace period of up to 2 1/2 months.

However, your employer cannot offer both a carryover option and a grace period.

Please Note: Your employer is not required to allow either.

Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Eligible Expenses

• Dependent care must enable you and your spouse to be employed or attend school fulltime.
• The child must be under the age of 13 and claimed as a dependent under federal tax rules.
• Services must be for the physical care of the child, not education, meals, etc.
• Qualified dependent care expenses also include costs for the care of a spouse or dependent who is incapable of self-care and regularly spends at least 8 hours per day in your home (for example, an invalid parent or child).

Examples of Typical Dependent Care Providers

• Child Care Centers & Nursery Schools
• Pre-School & After School Care (Tuition expenses must be kept separate.)
• Summer Day Camps
• Private sitters, who are not your dependent, in your home or at another location

Making Your Annual Contribution

At the time of enrollment, you must determine how much money you will spend for dependent care during the next plan year. Your employer will deduct an equal amount from each paycheck on a tax-free basis, and deposit the money into your dependent care FSA.

Contribution Limits

The IRS has set these annual maximum allowable contribution amounts for a dependent care account.

• $5000 for a married couple filing jointly
• $5000 for a single parent
• $2500 for a married person filing separately

Process for Reimbursement

Unlike the health FSA, dependent care reimbursements are available to you only for the
amount that has been deposited into your account.

Click here to learn more about how to file a Dependent Care FSA claim.

Questions and Answers

Can I make changes in my plan during the year?

Maybe. Federal regulations allow you to pay for certain expenses on a tax-free basis, and the government requires that your election remain in effect until the end of the plan year. However, these regulations do allow exceptions for a qualifying change of status.

Qualifying change of status includes:

• Marriage
• Divorce
• Birth or adoption of a child
• Child loses eligibility
• Spouse gains or loses employment
• You or your spouse take an unpaid leave of absence

How can I check my Health FSA and Dependent Care FSA balances?

You can check your balances online by logging into your personal account by clicking here or contacting our office.

Should I take the federal income tax credit instead of participating in a Dependent Care FSA?

In most cases, the dependent care FSA is a better tax benefit, but you should consult a qualified tax advisor in making your decision.

Instead of participating in a Health FSA, shouldn’t I just take these deductions off my tax return?

IRS regulations state that only medical expenses exceeding 7.5% of your adjusted
income can be deducted from your income taxes.

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If you have remaining questions about your Health or Dependent Care FSA accounts, please contact our office.