Questions and Answers

Can an individual take a qualified health savings account (HSA) funding distribution from more than one IRA as long as he/she doesn't exceed the contribution limit?

No. According to IRS Notice 2008-51, a qualified HSA funding distribution must come from a single IRA.

For example, Jane, age 58, has family coverage which makes her maximum contribution amount $6,700 for 2008. Jane has two IRAs, one worth $5,500 at ABC Financial and another worth $6,000 at XYZ Bank. To make the maximum HSA funding distribution, Jane must transfer at least $700 from ABC to XYZ (or $1,200 from XYZ to ABC), and then make her one-time qualified HSA funding distribution from a single IRA.

(Posted: 06/18/2008)