A Health Savings Account has a hard annual contribution cap. For 2026, IRS Publication 969 sets $4,400 if your HDHP is self-only and $8,750 if it is family coverage. Age 55 or older adds $1,000.
$1,200 already contributed, self-only, under 55: room left $3,200.
Run the HSA contribution calculator →
You generally need a high-deductible health plan to contribute. Employer deposits plus your own deposits share one cap. This is not a dependent-care FSA and not a cafeteria health FSA. Estimate, not tax advice.
Direct answer: $1,200 → $3,200
- Self-only 2026 limit = $4,400
- Room = $4,400 − $1,200 = $3,200
- Excess = $0
limit = $4,400 (self-only) or $8,750 (family) + $1,000 if age ≥ 55 remaining = max(0, limit − YTD contributions) excess = max(0, YTD contributions − limit)
Checks you can re-run
| Coverage | Age 55+ | YTD | Limit | Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self-only | No | $400 | $4,400 | $4,000 |
| Self-only | No | $1,200 | $4,400 | $3,200 |
| Family | No | $0 | $8,750 | $8,750 |
| Self-only | Yes | $0 | $5,400 | $5,400 |
| Family | Yes | $0 | $9,750 | $9,750 |
Family coverage here means the HDHP covers you plus at least one other family member. It is not "I have kids on a different plan."
Paycheck effect
HSA contributions through payroll usually come out before FICA. On the $2,000 biweekly take-home example, a $150 medical/HSA deduction drops FICA from $153.00 to $141.53 and net to $1,530.62: paycheck take-home. A traditional 401(k) does not do that. See FICA.
Dependent-care daycare money is a different cap: dependent-care FSA.
What this is not
- Not a health FSA. Different account, different rules, different loss rules.
- Not an IRA or 401(k). Retirement room is IRA and 401(k) deferral.
- Not a promise you can contribute if you are not HSA-eligible that month.
Yes. They use the same $4,400 or $8,750 (plus catch-up) ceiling.
Generally no. Eligibility is month-by-month. Confirm Pub. 969 before you send a year-end dump.
The calculator shows the excess. Extra contributions can be taxable if you do not pull them back in time. Ask the custodian or a preparer.