Many articles and news reports discuss how health savings accounts (HSAs) can benefit the average worker. In fact, there are many reasons why HSAs are one of the best options for your employees to save money on healthcare costs and to plan for retirement. But, HSAs can also provide significant benefits for your business, including helping you save money on taxes and health insurance for your employees.

Here are just a few of the benefits that HSAs and HSA-qualified plans can offer employers:

“In this world nothing can said to be certain, except death and taxes.” — Benjamin Franklin

With the passage of new tax laws in December 2017, the United States Congress made changes for deductions and corporate tax rates, but they left the tax benefits that come from health savings accounts (HSAs) alone. More recently, the annual family contribution for 2018 was reduced (read more here).

HSAs are one of the most tax-advantaged programs allowed by the IRS. Since their creation in 2003, millions of people have taken advantage of the tax savings, healthcare and retirement benefits that come from having an HSA.

When it comes to your employees, HSAs offer three ways to save on taxes.¹ As an employer, you can also take advantage of tax savings. Here’s how:

UPDATE: On April 26, 2018, the IRS reversed their guidance and restored the maximum annual contribution limit for a family HSA to $6,900 for taxpayers with qualifying coverage. Accountholders wishing to make the maximum annual contribution, and who have adjusted their current contributions based on the lower limit, may now adjust their contributions as needed.

On March 5, 2018 the IRS announced that the maximum annual HSA contribution limit for an individual with family coverage in 2018 has been lowered from $6,900 to $6,850. The maximum annual HSA contribution limit for an individual with self-only coverage remains at $3,450. There is also a $1,000 catch-up contribution available to individuals who will be at least 55 years old during 2018.

There is a possibility that this change could be reversed and/or amended. HealthEquity will be following future developments and updating this blog post with more information as it becomes available.

 Note: A previous blog post discussed answers to the top 10 HSA questions. We will continue to bring you answers to top HSA questions.

This post is part of our ongoing series of articles related to the top questions about HSAs. The following questions are popular questions about using an HSA to save.

An HSA is a great complement to a high-deductible health plan, especially when factoring in tax savings and other advantages. In addition, savvy users can take advantage of some creative ways to maximize HSA benefits even more through these easy-to-follow tips: