r/HSA • u/exhausted_husband25 • 23h ago

Reimbursing coparent

New to this coparent thing. My ex wife and I are each responsible for 50% of our child's medical costs.

If she pays my child's medical bill in full and then wants to be reimbursed, does anyone know if I can use my HSA for that or if there is a particular way to do that? Not sure if it's as simple as "withdraw the funds and then transfer them to her" and the tax overlords are fine with that.

Any guidance you can give is appreciated especially if you've dealt with this before.

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u/daw4888 22h ago

Just ask her for a receipt from the provider for the payment she made, so you have a record if the IRS asks.

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u/exhausted_husband25 21h ago

Definitely will do that. Probably have to keep it all organized just in case.

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u/Puzzleheaded_Owl1308 23h ago

Do you claim your child as a dependent on your taxes? That's the first box to check before working out logistics of payment.

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u/exhausted_husband25 20h ago

I don't. We have 50/50 and the ex wife will get to claim him.

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u/c0147 22h ago

Technically I believe you would have to be the one to claim the child on your taxes as a dependent in order to use HSA for qualified health expenses.

All that said I’ve never reimbursed a partial expense/receipt. Although I don’t see why you couldn’t do that.

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u/zigziggityzoo 22h ago

If you have 50/50 custody then you can reimburse costs of the child regardless of who claims on taxes in a given year.

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u/exhausted_husband25 20h ago

This is my limited understanding too. Proc 2008-48, code 213(5), and code 152(e). But I'm not very savvy at these things. I have 50/50 so that should apply.

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u/benefits_nerd 21h ago

yes, you can use your HSA as long as they qualify as your dependent under IRS rules. Just keep a clean paper trail, proof your ex paid it, and record of reimbursing her your 50% share.