qbteachmt
Level 15

"but you do pay 6% penalty with option 1"

Only the part not rolled forward or removed. For reference, your link isn't very comprehensive; I also saw another that told you the two options are Remove or Do Nothing. Not everyone posts good info on these topics 🙂

Try, for instance:

https://dpath.com/hsa-excess-contributions/

"Future Year Option

The second way to avoid the HSA excess contributions penalty is through the “future year method.” It involves deducting some or all of your HSA excess contributions and applying them to a future year. The IRS does not allow you to apply more than you have in excess. It’s also important to keep in mind that moving the excess to the following year counts towards the future year’s annual contribution limit.

The future year method is more complicated than the removal method, especially if you have earnings from any of the excess contributions. If you opt to roll forward some, but not all, of the excess contributions, you will owe the 6 percent tax on any that are not applied to a future year. Both methods must be completed before your tax filing deadline or you will be charged the excise tax. Consider filing an extension on your taxes to give you more time."

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