HSA Contribution Limits 2022 Checklist (2026) | HSA Tracker

Locate your 2022 health insurance plan documents or summary of benefits.

Your plan's Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) or the insurance contract itself states the deductible and out-of-pocket maximums. You need these documents to prove HSA eligibility if questioned.

Verify your plan's deductible met the 2022 HDHP minimums.

For 2022, the minimum deductible was $1,400 for self-only and $2,800 for family coverage. If your plan's deductible was lower, it was not HSA-eligible, and any contributions you made were not allowed.

Check that your plan's out-of-pocket maximum did not exceed IRS limits.

The 2022 maximums were $7,050 (self-only) and $14,100 (family). Plans with higher out-of-pocket caps disqualify you from HSA contributions, even with a high deductible.

Determine if your plan provided non-preventive coverage before meeting the deductible.

HDHPs generally cannot pay for non-preventive care (like specialist visits) before the deductible is met. Plans with copays for office visits before the deductible often fail this test.

Confirm your coverage type on December 1, 2022: self-only or family.

Your HSA contribution limit for the entire year is primarily based on your HDHP coverage status on this specific date, thanks to the 'last-month rule'. This determines whether your limit is $3,650 or $7,300.

Note any months in 2022 where you had non-HDHP coverage (like a general-purpose FSA).

Having other disqualifying coverage makes you ineligible to contribute to an HSA for those months. Your annual limit must be prorated, reducing your maximum allowed contribution.

Check if you were enrolled in Medicare or claimed as a dependent in 2022.

Being enrolled in any part of Medicare or being claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return makes you ineligible to contribute to an HSA for those months.

Start with the base limit: $3,650 for self-only or $7,300 for family coverage.

These are the official IRS HSA contribution limits 2022. All other calculations build from these numbers. Using the wrong base number guarantees an error.

Add the $1,000 catch-up contribution if you were 55 or older by Dec 31, 2022.

This adjustment increases your maximum potential contribution to $4,650 (self-only) or $8,300 (family). Remember, this is per person, so spouses with separate HSAs each get their own catch-up.

Prorate your limit if you were not eligible for the full 12 months and did not use the last-month rule.

Divide your annual limit by 12, then multiply by the number of months you were HSA-eligible. For example, 6 months of family coverage gives a limit of $7,300 / 12 * 6 = $3,650.

Gather records of all employer contributions made to your HSA in 2022.

Employer contributions reduce the amount you can contribute personally. Your W-2, Box 12, Code W shows employer contributions. Your HSA provider's annual statement is another source.

Subtract total employer contributions from your personal maximum limit.

This gives you the maximum amount you were allowed to contribute from your own funds. Failing to do this is a leading cause of excess contributions.

Account for contributions made by a family member on your behalf.

Any contribution made by anyone to your HSA counts toward your annual limit. This includes contributions from a spouse or parent.

Double-check calculations if you changed from family to self-only coverage mid-year.

This scenario requires a month-by-month calculation. You cannot simply average the two limits; you must apply the correct limit for each month of eligibility.

Obtain your 2022 Form 5498-SA from your HSA provider(s).

This form reports all contributions made to your HSA for the year, including those made by you, your employer, and others. It is the primary document for your audit.

Reconcile the total on Form 5498-SA with your personal records.

Ensure the provider's reported total matches your own tracking of payroll deductions and external transfers. Discrepancies need to be resolved with the provider.

Compare the total contributions against your final calculated limit.

This tells you if you have an excess contribution. Any amount over your limit is subject to the 6% excise tax and must be addressed.

Review your 2022 Form W-2 for employer contributions in Box 12, Code W.

This amount should be included in the total on your Form 5498-SA. Verifying this cross-reference ensures all sources are accounted for.

Check if you made any prior-year contributions in early 2023 for 2022.

Contributions made between January 1 and April 15, 2023, could be designated for 2022. These count toward your 2022 limit, not 2023.

Verify the contribution breakdown between you and your employer on your HSA statement.

Some statements only show a grand total. Knowing the split is necessary for accurate tax reporting and for understanding your true contribution room.

If you over-contributed, request a 'return of excess contribution' from your HSA provider.

The provider can remove the excess amount plus any earnings. This is the cleanest way to correct the error and stop the 6% penalty from applying in future years.

Report the removed earnings as 'Other Income' on your tax return for the year of distribution.

The earnings generated by the excess contribution are taxable. You must report them in the year you withdraw them, not the year of the original contribution.

File Form 5329 with your tax return if excess contributions remain uncorrected.

This form calculates and reports the 6% excise tax on any excess that stayed in the HSA. It is required for each year the excess remains.

Set up a tracking system for the current year's HSA contributions.

Use a spreadsheet, app, or your provider's dashboard to monitor contributions from all sources in real time. This prevents last-minute surprises.

Coordinate with your HR department or payroll provider on contribution amounts.

Ensure your payroll deductions are set to stop once you reach your limit, accounting for known employer contributions. This automates compliance.