Only eligible individuals can establish HSAs and make contributions (or have them made on their behalf). An individual’s eligibility for HSA contributions is typically determined monthly as of the first day of the month. In general, an HSA contribution can only be made for months in which the individual meets all the eligibility requirements.

To be HSA-eligible for a month, an individual must:

An exception to this general rule is the last-month rule,  in which an individual is treated as HSA-eligible for the entire year if they satisfy the HSA eligibility requirements on Dec. 1 of the year.

In the case of married individuals, each spouse who is an eligible individual who wants to have an HSA must open a separate HSA. Married couples cannot have a joint HSA, even if they are covered by the same HDHP. Also, if another taxpayer is entitled to claim an individual as a dependent, the individual is not eligible for HSA contributions, even if the other person does not actually claim the dependent.

In addition, an individual who is covered by a standard type of health flexible spending account (FSA) (through your employer or your spouse’s employer) or health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) cannot make HSA contributions. However, there are certain types of health FSAs and HRAs that are compatible with HSA eligibility, such as post-deductible or limited-purpose health FSAs or HRAs.