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

Capital gain or loss

The difference between amount realized and adjusted basis on the sale or exchange of capital assets. Long-term capital gains are taxed favorably. Capital losses are deducted first against capital gains, and then again up to $3,000 of other income.

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