The federal, state and FICA tax an HSA contribution saves you this year
Estimates only, not financial advice. What you type stays on your device. Checked against sources on 29 Sept 2026.An HSA contribution made through payroll skips federal income tax, most state income tax and the 7.65% Social Security and Medicare tax, so a worker in the 22% bracket with a 5% state tax saves about 34.65 cents on every dollar. Contributions you make yourself and deduct on Form 8889 skip income tax but not the 7.65%.
Rates and rules read from the sources listed on this page (the earliest on 29 Sept 2026); they may have changed since.
The page opens with "Through payroll at work" switched on.
Enter Your contribution and the employer contribution for the year.
Enter your Federal income tax bracket, State income tax rate and Your wages this year.
Read the federal, state, Social Security and Medicare tax saved, then press Share result.
Enter your rates to see the saving.
A health savings account takes pre-tax money when you have a qualifying high-deductible health plan. Contributions are deducted from income, growth is not taxed, and withdrawals for qualified medical costs are tax-free, which is why many people treat an HSA as a retirement account for health care.
The tax you save. Every dollar contributed skips federal income tax at your marginal rate and, in most states, state income tax. Contributions through your employer's payroll, a cafeteria plan, also skip Social Security tax of 6.2% (on wages up to $184,500 in 2026) and Medicare tax of 1.45%. Contributions you make yourself and deduct on Form 8889 do not get that 7.65%. Enter your own rates; if your state taxes HSA contributions, as California and New Jersey do, enter 0 for the state.
What this calculator does not do: check whether your plan qualifies as a high-deductible health plan, model the 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax, or tax withdrawals. Non-medical withdrawals before 65 cost income tax plus a 20% additional tax. An estimate, not tax advice.
The rest of the article, and all 6 questions about HSA Calculator, are on the HSA Calculator page.
Yes. IRS Publication 969 says the amount you or anyone else can contribute is reduced by your employer's excludable contributions. With self-only coverage in 2026 and $500 from your employer, you can put in $3,900 yourself. Going over costs a 6% excise tax on the excess for each year it stays in the account.
Only when you contribute through payroll. Contributions taken from your pay under your employer's cafeteria plan skip Social Security tax of 6.2% and Medicare tax of 1.45%, as well as income tax. Money you deposit yourself and deduct on Form 8889 saves income tax but not those payroll taxes, so payroll is worth 7.65% more on each dollar.
If you are 55 or older at the end of the tax year, your limit rises by $1,000. Each spouse who is 55 or older can make a catch-up, but only into an HSA in their own name, so a couple both over 55 with family coverage needs two accounts to put in the full amount.
Only until you enroll in Medicare. Publication 969 says your limit is zero from the first month you are enrolled in Medicare, even if you still have a high-deductible plan through work. After 65 you can spend the money on anything without the 20% additional tax, paying only income tax on non-medical withdrawals.
Rates and rules change; check the source before you rely on a figure.
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