by admin | Mar 11, 2026 | Blog
As the March 15 FSA grace period gets closer, lots of people are taking a last look at their Flexible Spending Account (FSA) balances and figuring out how to use any leftover dollars before they disappear. If your employer offers a grace period, you get an extra 2.5 months—through March 15, 2026—to spend any remaining 2025 FSA funds. After that date, any unspent money goes back to your employer under IRS rules.
Knowing how the grace period works—and what you’re still allowed to buy—can make the difference between losing money and putting every dollar to good use.
What Is the FSA Grace Period?
The IRS gives employers the option to extend your FSA spending window by 2.5 extra months, which means you can continue using the previous year’s funds until March 15. So, if you still have 2025 money left in your account, you can use it on eligible expenses incurred up to March 15, 2026.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Your employer chooses the rules. They can offer either a grace period or a carryover (up to $680 for 2026), but they can’t offer both.
- Some plans also include a run‑out period, which simply gives you extra time to submit receipts—but doesn’t let you incur new expenses.
- Since every employer sets their own FSA options, it’s always a good idea to check the details of your specific plan so you know exactly what deadlines and exceptions apply to you.
What Can You Buy With Your FSA Funds Before March 15?
Here are the top five most useful, season‑ready picks from FSA Store — all guaranteed eligible and perfect for early‑spring needs.
1. Sunscreen (SPF 15+ Broad Spectrum)
A must‑have as the weather warms. All sunscreens SPF 15+ and broad‑spectrum are FSA‑eligible, and FSA Store carries dozens of options.
Shop here: Sunscreen Collection
2. Cold & Allergy Relief
Whether it’s lingering cold season or rising spring allergies, you can use FSA dollars on OTC remedies — no prescription required under current rules.
Shop here: Cold & Allergy Category
3. First Aid Kits
A fresh first‑aid kit is always a smart buy — especially with outdoor season coming up. Choose from family kits, travel kits, or expanded medical kits.
Shop here: First Aid Kits & Supplies
4. Contact Lens Solution
Daily essentials for contact lens wearers — cleaning solution, disinfecting systems, rewetting drops, and lens cases are all eligible.
Shop here: Contact Lens Care
5. Heating Pads
Perfect for muscle tension, cramps, or easing the aches that come with getting active again. FSA Store carries everything from standard pads to weighted massaging options.
Shop here: Heating Pads
Tips to Maximize Your Remaining FSA Dollars
- Check your balance today. Log into your account and verify how much you have left.
- Shop verified FSA‑eligible products. Online marketplaces like FSA Store carry only approved items, reducing guesswork.
- Book appointments immediately. Spots fill quickly before the deadline.
- Save receipts. Some expenses may require documentation or letters of medical necessity.
If your plan includes the grace period, March 15, 2026 is your absolute last day to incur expenses using 2025 FSA funds. Don’t let your remaining balance disappear—smart spending now means more value from your pretax dollars.
by Lexi Garcia | Nov 10, 2023 | Blog
The IRS announced 2024 contribution limits for all Flexible Spending Account (FSA) plans. Below is an overview of the limit increases across all the types of FSAs except for Dependent Care FSAs, which remain the same at $5,000 per year.
Health Flexible Spending Account
The Health FSA, which provides employees the ability to set aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for eligible medical, dental, and vision expenses will have an increase to its contribution maximum from $3,050 to $3,200 for 2024. The new contribution limit will also apply to the Limited Purpose FSA which reimburses eligible dental and vision expenses. Limited Purpose FSA
limits will also increase from $3,050 to $3,200 for 2024.
Carryover Limit
The FSA Carryover limit provides employers the option to transfer a maximum amount of remaining FSA balances at a plan year’s end to carryover for use during the next plan year. This is available with Healthcare and Limited Purpose FSAs only. The carryover limits for this account will increase from $610 to $640 for 2024.
Commuter Benefits
Commuter Benefits help employees pay for certain parking, mass transit and/or vanpooling expenses with pre-tax dollars. The contribution limits for this account will increase from $300 to $315 for 2024.
Adoption Assistance
The Adoption Assistance FSA helps employees pay eligible adoption expenses such as agency fees and court costs by contributing to the account with pre-tax money from their paycheck. The contribution limits for this account will increase from $15,950 to $16,810 for 2024.
For more information about this major change and how it may impact you, read our latest handout.
by admin | Dec 15, 2022 | Blog
A Commuter Benefits Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is an employer-sponsored account that allows participants to set aside pre-tax funds to pay for qualified mass transit and parking expenses associated with their work commute. There are two Commuter Benefit accounts: transportation and parking. Each of these accounts may receive a monthly contribution limit of $300, starting in 2023.
What to know about this account
- You must have funds in a commuter benefits account before using
- Any unused funds in a transportation and/or parking account will be lost at the end of the plan year
- Adjustments to a contribution can be made at any time; termination included
- You can manage this account online at www.NueSynergy.com or via the NueSynergy smart mobile app
Questions to consider
Why should I enroll in a Commuter Benefits account?
This account is ideal if you expect to incur commuter expenses that won’t be reimbursed by another plan. Money contributed to a Commuter Benefits account is free from federal and state taxes and remains tax-free when spent on eligible expenses.
What expenses are eligible for this account?
This all depends on which commuter account you plan on choosing. For a transportation account, expenses such as transit passes, tokens, fare cards, vouchers or items entitling you to ride a mass vehicle are eligible. For a parking account, eligible expenses consist of parking expenses incurred at/near place of work and out-of-pocket parking fees for parking meters and lots.
How do I use my Commuter Benefits FSA to pay for eligible expenses?
You can either use the NueSynergy smart debit card or pay your personal funds and submit a claim reimbursement.
by admin | Dec 13, 2022 | Blog
A Limited Purpose Flexible Spending Account (LPFSA) is an account designed to allow participants to set aside pre-tax dollars for dental, vision and orthodontia expenses for themselves and their dependents. As mentioned earlier, the benefits of enrolling in a LPFSA are limitless.
Below is a list of eight pre-taxable items a participant can use to fund their Limited Purpose FSA.
1. Artificial teeth
2. Dental treatment: x-rays, fillings, dentures, root canals
3. Dental co-insurance, co-payments, and deductibles
4. Eye surgery (includes cataract and LASIK)
5. Vision co-insurance, co-payments, and deductibles
6. Prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses, and over-the-counter reading glasses
7. Contact lenses, solution, equipment, and materials
8. Occlusal guards
To learn even more about LPFSA-eligible items, check out our extensive list.
by admin | Nov 29, 2022 | Blog
With the contribution limits set to increase for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) in 2023, now is a good time to debunk any myths that are often associated with FSAs. Here are easy to understand answers to common FSA questions.
Will I lose the money in my FSA if I don’t use it?
Not if you plan properly. You can utilize the carryover option, which allows you to carryover as much as $610 in unused funds from an existing plan to the next.
How is my FSA funded?
It is funded by your employer. Based on how much you decide to contribute (up to $3,100), your employer then places the contributed amount into your account and deducts equal amounts from your paycheck each pay period.
When is my FSA funded?
Your full year’s contribution is available on the first day of the plan year, even though you pay it back through payroll deductions throughout the year. Think of it as an interest-free loan.
Who owns my FSA?
Your employer. However, any unused funds go back to them if you leave the company.
What expenses are eligible for my FSA?
Eligible expenses include out-of-pocket costs not covered by an insurance plan, notably copayments, deductible expenses, coinsurance, and prescriptions. Costs for healthcare products and services are also eligible.
