FSA Contribution Calculator
FSA tax savings and forfeit risk from election, rates, and spending.
What it does
Health FSAs turn medical spending pre-tax: elect up to $3,300, skip income and payroll tax on it, then spend on qualified care. Unspent money forfeits past the $660 carryover or grace shelter.
The tool above takes election with rates, spending, and plan type. It returns tax savings with leftover and forfeit risk.
The default $3,000 at 29.65% saves $889.50 with $300 left and $0 at risk under carryover. The same facts with neither shelter forfeit $300.
Rules follow IRS Publication 969 with Healthcare.gov FSA pages behind them. Both pin the $3,300 cap and $660 carryover used here.
How to use
- Enter the annual election.
- Enter federal and FICA rates.
- Add state rate if any.
- Enter qualified spending.
- Pick the plan shelter type.
- Read savings, leftover, risk.
Formula
- election
- Pre-tax salary reduction elected.
- federal
- Federal marginal percent.
- FICA
- Social Security plus Medicare percent.
- spent
- Qualified medical spending.
Elections cap at $3,300 per employer; the tool rejects more. Carryover shelters $660 while grace and neither plans forfeit all leftover. Dependent care FSAs run separate limits.
Worked example
Example: $3,000 election
Defaults: $3,000 elected, 22% + FICA, $2,700 spent, carryover plan.
- Election: $3,000 under the $3,300 cap.
- Rates: 22% federal + 7.65% FICA = 29.65%.
- Savings: 3,000 x 29.65% = $889.50.
- Per pay: 3,000 / 24 = $125 pre-tax.
- Spent: $2,700 qualified, $300 left.
- Carryover shelters $660: forfeit $0.
- Tool shows $889.50, $300.00 left, $0.00 at risk.
Reference table
| Item | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Election cap | $3,300 | Per employer |
| Carryover max | $660 | If offered |
| Grace period | 2.5 months | If offered |
| Shelters | One max | Never both |
Limits
- 2025 figures; IRS moves them.
- Employers may offer no shelter.
- Dependent care runs separate.
- Receipts and deadlines rule.
Common mistakes
- Electing past the $3,300 cap.
- Missing the claim deadline.
- Buying premiums with FSA money.
- Skipping re-enroll for carryover.
- Confusing FSA with HSA rules.
Try it yourself
Quick checks. Answers sit tucked under each question.
Defaults with neither shelter?
Same $300 leftover forfeits fully: $300.00 at risk.
$3,300 at 12%, all spent?
Rate sum 19.65%: 3,300 x 19.65% = $648.45, $0 left.
Over the wage base (FICA 0)?
FICA 0 changes little: 3,000 x 22% = $660.00 federal only.
Questions
How much can I contribute?
$3,300 per employer for 2025. Spouses with own employers elect separately.
How are savings computed?
Election times marginal rates: federal plus FICA plus state. $3,000 at 29.65% saves $889.50.
Carryover or grace period?
Up to $660 to next year, or 2.5 months grace to spend, never both. Employers may offer neither.
What happens to leftovers?
Leftover past shelter or grace forfeits. Spend down on glasses, dental, and prescriptions.
What expenses qualify?
Deductibles, copays, prescriptions, insulin, crutches, and test kits. Never insurance premiums.
Can freelancers join?
No. Self-employed filers cannot use FSAs; HSAs and itemizing cover other ground.