Open enrollment means picking an FSA number — don’t guess. Enter your expected health expenses below for a recommended election and estimated tax savings.

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FSA Contribution Calculator — Pick the Right Amount to Set Aside

Estimate your health expenses for the year, see the recommended FSA election (capped at the 2026 IRS limit), your estimated tax savings, and your per-paycheck deduction.

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recommended annual FSA election
$0
estimated annual tax savings
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per paycheck (if pay periods entered)
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total expected eligible expenses
Use-it-or-lose-it warning:

How FSA works: a Flexible Spending Account lets you set aside pre-tax dollars from your paycheck for eligible medical, dental, vision, and prescription costs — you pay no federal income tax, Social Security, or Medicare tax on that money. The 2026 IRS contribution limit is $3,400 per employee, and unused balances beyond the $660 IRS carryover limit are forfeited at year end. This is a free planning tool, not tax advice — confirm details with your employer's benefits administrator or a tax professional.

100% private

Your health expense estimates are calculated in your browser and never sent anywhere.

No signup

Get your recommendation instantly — no account, no email required.

Free forever

Re-run it every open enrollment season. Always free.

How to use

  1. 1
    Estimate your expenses

    Enter your expected out-of-pocket medical, dental, vision, and prescription costs for the year, plus any known procedures like braces or LASIK.

  2. 2
    Set your tax rate

    Move the slider to your combined federal + state marginal tax rate (default 25%). Check last year’s tax return if unsure.

  3. 3
    Take the recommendation

    Get your recommended annual election — capped at the $3,400 IRS limit — your estimated tax savings, and your per-paycheck deduction once you enter your pay periods.

  4. 4
    Heed the warning

    Read the use-it-or-lose-it note: only up to $660 can carry over to 2027 under IRS rules, so don’t over-elect.

Why you’ll love it

2026 IRS limit built in

The recommendation is automatically capped at the $3,400 IRS limit for 2026 — you’ll never elect more than allowed.

Real tax savings math

See the dollar value of your FSA in tax savings at your actual marginal rate, so you know exactly what it’s worth to you.

Per-paycheck clarity

Enter 26, 24, 12, or 52 pay periods to see the exact per-paycheck deduction before you sign your enrollment form.

Carryover guidance

The tool warns you about the $660 IRS carryover cap and flags when you’re electing more than you can realistically spend.

Procedure-aware

A separate line for known upcoming procedures keeps big one-time costs from getting lost in routine expense guesses.

Frequently asked questions

What is the FSA contribution limit for 2026?
The IRS limit for 2026 is $3,400 per employee for a health FSA. If you’re married, your spouse can elect up to $3,400 through their own employer too. This calculator caps your recommended election at $3,400 automatically.
What does “use it or lose it” mean for FSAs?
FSA funds must generally be spent within the plan year. The IRS allows employers to let you carry over up to $660 into 2026 — any balance beyond that is forfeited. Some employers offer a grace period instead; check your plan documents.
How much do I actually save with an FSA?
You avoid federal income tax plus Social Security and Medicare taxes (7.65%) on contributions. At a 25% marginal rate, $2,000 in FSA contributions saves roughly $500 in federal/state income tax — even more once FICA savings are included.
What expenses are FSA-eligible?
Copays, deductibles, prescriptions, dental cleanings and orthodontics, vision exams, glasses, and contacts are all eligible. Cosmetic procedures and insurance premiums are not. Your plan administrator publishes a full eligible-expenses list.
Should I elect the full $3,400?
Only if you’ll truly spend it. Electing more than your expected expenses risks forfeiture under the use-it-or-lose-it rule. This calculator recommends the smaller of your expected expenses and the $3,400 cap.
How is the per-paycheck amount calculated?
Your annual election divided by your number of pay periods. Enter 26 for biweekly, 24 for semi-monthly, 12 for monthly, or 52 for weekly pay.
What’s the difference between an FSA and an HSA?
An HSA requires a high-deductible health plan, has higher limits, and rolls over indefinitely. An FSA works with most plan types but has the use-it-or-lose-it rule. You generally can’t have both a general-purpose FSA and an HSA.

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