Setting up a Health Savings Account.

I just started a high deductible healthcare plan in July of 2021. Can I still make the max contribution amount as if I had it the entire year? Or can it only be a certain percentage of the max since it was not open the entire year last year?
 
I would assume the max.

I am seeing different answers.
Some say if it was set in August, you can contribute the full year max, others say you have to take a percentage since you did not have a high deductible health plan for the full 12 months.
 
I just started a high deductible healthcare plan in July of 2021. Can I still make the max contribution amount as if I had it the entire year? Or can it only be a certain percentage of the max since it was not open the entire year last year?

https://www.optum.com/content/dam/optum/consumer-activation/unknown/HSA_Mid_Year_Changes.pdf
Health savings account (HSA) contributions and mid-year changes

Your eligibility is based on your coverage status on the first day of the month.
To calculate your personal contribution limit:
1 Take the total annual contribution limit based on your coverage type (individual or family).
2 Divide that amount by 12.
3 Multiply it by the number of months that you qualify that year
upload_2022-1-14_9-57-35.png
 
There is a "last month rule" though, which talks about if you have the high deductible health plan on December 1, you can contribute the same amount as if you had the plan for the entire year? Can anyone confirm that? Or am I reading it wrong?
 
Most of the cited text from the Optum website has been copied or paraphrased from IRS Publication 969, which I have attached. The IRS has not updated this publication for 2021 or 2022. But the basic rules have not changed. If you choose to read this publication, you need to be aware that was written in early 2021, and it is meant to assist in the preparation of a tax return for the calendar year 2020. The text contains some very useful concrete examples, but you have to adjust the years in question.

I have also attached a page from a professional tax reference book that we use in my office. It also has some useful examples.

BMK
 

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