HSA & FSA Calculator (2026)
See your 2026 contribution ceiling and what each dollar actually saves you in tax.
The big 2026 change: Dependent Care FSA
The Dependent Care FSA limit had been stuck at $5,000 since 1986. For 2026 it rises to $7,500. That extra $2,500 of pre-tax room is worth roughly $940 to a household in the 24% bracket paying 6% state tax — for the same childcare you were already paying for. If your employer's open enrollment defaulted you to the old $5,000, you have to change the election yourself.
Why payroll deduction matters
Money routed through payroll skips FICA (7.65%) on top of income tax. An HSA funded by a direct deposit from your bank still gets the income tax deduction, but you pay FICA on it. For a family maxing an HSA, running it through payroll instead is worth about $670 a year.
※ Limits from IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-19 (HSA) and the 2025 tax law (Dependent Care FSA). This is an estimate, not tax advice — your marginal rate, state rules, and plan design all affect the result.
Frequently asked questions
What are the 2026 HSA contribution limits?
$4,400 for self-only coverage and $8,750 for family coverage, both up from 2025. If you are 55 or older you can add a $1,000 catch-up contribution, so the ceiling becomes $5,400 or $9,750. Each spouse who is 55+ needs their own HSA to claim the catch-up separately.
Why did the Dependent Care FSA limit go up to $7,500?
The 2025 tax law raised it from $5,000 to $7,500 starting in 2026 — the first increase since the limit was set in 1986. It is a flat statutory amount and is not indexed to inflation, so it will stay at $7,500 until Congress changes it again. Married taxpayers filing separately are limited to $3,750 each.
How much tax does an FSA or HSA actually save me?
Contributions made through payroll deduction escape federal income tax, state income tax, and the 7.65% FICA payroll tax. Someone in the 22% federal bracket in a no-income-tax state saves 29.65 cents per dollar. In a 6% state at the 24% bracket it is 37.65 cents per dollar.
What is the Health FSA limit and how much can I carry over?
The 2026 Health FSA limit is $3,400 per employee. Up to $680 of unused funds can carry into 2027 if your employer allows carryover. Employers may instead offer a grace period, or neither — check your plan documents, since anything above the carryover cap is forfeited.
Can I have both an HSA and a Health FSA?
Generally no. Contributing to a regular Health FSA makes you ineligible for HSA contributions, because the FSA counts as disqualifying health coverage. The exception is a limited-purpose FSA restricted to dental and vision, which can be paired with an HSA. A Dependent Care FSA is separate and can always be combined with an HSA.
What happens if I contribute over the limit?
The excess is added back to your taxable income. For HSAs there is also a 6% excise tax for every year the excess stays in the account. Withdraw the excess amount, plus any earnings on it, before your tax filing deadline to avoid the penalty.