How HSAs Can Benefit Small Businesses and Employees in 2025

Discover How Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) Empower Small Businesses and Employees

As a small business owner, managing health care costs can feel like an uphill battle. But there’s a tax-advantaged solution that can benefit both you and your employees: Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). These accounts not only help reduce health care expenses but also provide significant tax benefits. With the IRS releasing the inflation-adjusted HSA limits for 2025, now is the perfect time to revisit how HSAs can work for your business.

What Are HSAs? Key Benefits for Small Businesses

HSAs allow eligible individuals to save pre-tax dollars for future medical expenses, making them a powerful financial tool for both employers and employees. To qualify, employees must:

• Be covered by a high-deductible health plan (HDHP).
• Not be enrolled in Medicare.
• Not be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return.

Top Tax Advantages of HSAs

• Tax-Deductible Contributions: Employee contributions are deductible, within IRS limits.
• Employer Contributions Are Tax-Free: Employer-funded contributions aren’t included in employees’ taxable income.
• Tax-Free Growth: Funds in an HSA grow tax-free, year after year.
• Tax-Free Withdrawals: Distributions used for qualified medical expenses are not taxed.
• Payroll Tax Savings: Employers don’t pay payroll taxes on employee HSA contributions made through payroll deductions.

Updated HSA Limits for 2024 and 2025

To establish an HSA, employees must have a high-deductible health plan (HDHP). Below are the latest contribution and coverage limits:

High-Deductible Health Plan Requirements

• 2024: Minimum deductible of $1,600 (self-only) or $3,200 (family).
• 2025: Minimum deductible of $1,650 (self-only) or $3,300 (family).

Contribution Limits

• 2024: $4,150 (self-only); $8,300 (family).
• 2025: $4,300 (self-only); $8,550 (family).

Out-of-Pocket Maximums

• 2024: $8,050 (self-only); $16,100 (family).
• 2025: $8,300 (self-only); $16,600 (family).

Catch-Up Contributions

For individuals aged 55 or older, an additional $1,000 can be contributed annually in 2024 and 2025.

Why Employers Should Offer HSA Contributions

Employers can make tax-free contributions to their employees’ HSAs, offering added value while reducing payroll tax liabilities. Unlike flexible spending accounts (FSAs), HSAs don’t have a “use-it-or-lose-it” provision, allowing employees to save funds year after year.

Compliance Tip:

Employers contributing to HSAs must offer “comparable” contributions to all eligible employees to avoid a 35% tax penalty on contributions.

Using HSA Funds: Qualified Expenses

HSA funds can be used tax-free for qualified medical expenses, including:

• Doctor visits and prescription medications.
• Chiropractic care and acupuncture.
• Premiums for long-term care insurance.

If funds are withdrawn for non-qualified expenses, they’re subject to income tax and an additional 20% penalty unless the account holder is 65 or older, disabled, or deceased.

Why HSAs Are a Smart Choice for Small Businesses

HSAs offer unmatched flexibility and tax advantages, making them a win-win for small businesses and their employees. By integrating HSAs into your benefits package, you can:

• Attract and retain top talent with enhanced health benefits.
• Reduce overall health care costs for your business.
• Provide employees with a powerful savings tool for medical expenses.

Take Action Today

Health Savings Accounts can be a game-changer for small businesses looking to manage healthcare costs effectively. With the 2025 limits now available, it’s the perfect time to explore how HSAs can benefit your business and employees.

Have questions or want to implement HSAs in your organization? Contact us today to learn more about integrating HSAs into your benefits package!

Ken Botwinick, CPA Partner, CPA

Ken Botwinick, CPA is a Partner with Botwinick & Company, LLC and has been with the firm for more than 25 years. Ken specializes in providing accounting, tax, and business consulting services to dental and medical practices. He established the firm’s dental practice and is a sought-after lecturer at dental continuing education programs. Ken has his “finger on the pulse of the dental industry,” and with comprehensive experience in ownership transitions, he assists clients in the healthcare industry to reach their professional and financial aspirations and goals. In addition to accounting, tax, and consulting engagements with dental and healthcare practices, Ken provides a wide range of services to medium-sized and closely held businesses. Over the past decade, Ken has also played an integral role in the success of numerous technology start-up clients in Europe and Israel. By providing specialized tax guidance and back-office support, Ken has supported many entities as they transitioned from one-person organizations to 100-person venture-capital-backed enterprises. Ken’s client service philosophy is to take a “team approach” to engagements and provides clients with highly effective strategies and solutions. The result is low employee turnover and quality client service at the highest level. The firm’s staff and management collaborate and work closely together, and the clients reap the benefits. Ken also fosters continuing education at the firm to keep the partners and the staff up to date on new legislative changes, including emerging economic stimulus tax credits.

See Full Bio