FSA: The simple way to save for health and dependent care expenses
Transition to TASC: The Port’s new Benefit Account Provider, TASC will be taking over management of your Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) account from Inspira beginning in 2027.
What happens to my 2026 FSA account?
- Healthcare FSA and Limited-Purpose FSA: Your 2026 funds will remain with the current vendor (Inspira) through March 31, 2027, to account for the runout period. After March 31, 2027, any unused funds less than $45 or more than $680 will be forfeited as standard. Any unused funds between $45 to $680 will be sent to TASC in the month of April 2027 as your 2026 rollover amount.
- Dependent Care FSA: Your 2026 funds will remain with the current vendor (Inspira) through March 31, 2027, to account for the runout period. After March 31, 2027, all unused funds will be forfeited as standard.
- Your Inspira debit card will remain active for eligible 2026 FSA expenses through December 31, 2026.
- Beginning January 1, 2027 through March 31, 2027 any additional 2026 FSA expenses must be submitted for reimbursement via fax, mail, or online submission.
- Runout Period: An extended period of time from January 1, 2027, to March 31, 2027, when individuals can submit claims for the 2026 plan year.
For additional information, visit the TASC Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
The Port of Seattle offers two types of Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs):
- A Healthcare FSA can help you and your eligible dependents save money on eligible healthcare expenses by putting aside pre-tax income to pay these costs.
- A Dependent care FSA (described in further detail below) may be used to pay for eligible child care expenses for dependent children under age 13, or adult care expenses for qualifying adult dependents.
READ: TASC FSA Information Sheet (PDF)
Healthcare FSA
You can contribute pretax dollars from your paycheck, up to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) limit of $3,400 in 2026 and the limit of $3,400 in 2027. Your full contribution is available at the start of the plan year to pay for eligible health care expenses. It covers you, your spouse, and/or your tax dependents for:
- Copays, coinsurance, and deductibles
- Dental expenses like orthodontia, crowns, and bridges
- Vision expenses like LASIK eye surgery, glasses, and contacts
- Prescription drugs and over-the-counter (OTC) items
READ: FSA Eligible Expenses (PDF)
Who May Participate in a Healthcare FSA?
Any current, regular Port employee may participate in a Healthcare FSA. This includes those who are not eligible for Port-sponsored healthcare coverage, such as represented employees covered under other plans. Eligible employees may sign up for an FSA during open enrollment in the fall. Employees new to the Port have 30 days to enroll in an FSA for the current year.
Note: If you enroll in the Port-sponsored Aetna High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) and elect to have a Health Savings Account (HSA), you will be ineligible to enroll in a general-purpose Healthcare FSA. Instead, you may enroll in a limited-purpose FSA. Additionally, any 2026 Healthcare FSA balance that is carried over to 2027 will be deposited into a limited-purpose FSA if you enroll in the HDHP.
Limited-Purpose FSA
Employees enrolled in the Aetna HDHP who contribute to an HSA are not eligible for a general-purpose Healthcare FSA. Instead, you may enroll in what is known as a limited-purpose FSA. Since both the HSA and the FSA are tax-advantaged plans, there are some rules. You may only use your limited FSA for eligible vision and dental costs until you meet your health plan deductible. After you meet your deductible you then may use your FSA dollars to pay for other eligible healthcare costs.
READ: TASC Limited FSA Info Sheet (PDF)
Healthcare FSA Carryover Rule
If you have not used all of your FSA funds by the end of 2026, you may carry over a minimum of $45 and a maximum of $680 into 2027, provided you are a Port employee on January 1 of the next year. These rolled over funds do not count against that year's annual contribution maximum. However, you will still need to carefully estimate your qualifying medical expenses to minimize the possibility that you will lose any of your contributions. Here are some other important facts to keep in mind:
- The carryover applies only to Healthcare FSAs, not Dependent Care FSAs.
- Funds carried over do not reduce the annual contribution limit
- 2026 carried-over funds are available after the rollout period and will be transferred to TASC in April 2027 to be used in the remainder of the year.
Any unused funds above the rollover limit of $680 when the deadline for submitting prior year expenses will still be forfeited.
Payroll Deductions
The amount you elect for your FSA will be evenly deducted from the first two paychecks of every month before federal income and Social Security taxes are taken. The money will be deposited into an account administered by TASC, from which you are reimbursed when you submit a claim. You may also use your TASC Card (PDF) to pay for your qualified expenses.
Pay With Ease
- Use the TASC Card: Eligible expenses are automatically paid from your FSA account with no paperwork required. Once enrolled, you automatically will be issued one debit card by TASC before January 2027 at no cost for payments of eligible healthcare costs. However, you will still need to submit receipts for some items to support debit card use, so be sure to have them available. You will reuse your card each year, so don't throw it away!
- Use the TASC Mobile App: Download the TASC Mobile App to track your FSA account. Within the app, you will be able to view all transactions, request reimbursements, search eligible expenses, and more. You must sign up on the web using the information you enrolled with. After that, you may log in to the app.
- Pay yourself back: Pay for eligible expenses with cash, a check, or your personal credit card. Then submit a claim to pay yourself back. To save time, have your claims payment deposited directly into your checking or savings account. You may submit your reimbursement request through the TASC website, TASC Mobile app, via email, or in hard copy.
Dependent Care FSAs
You can contribute pretax dollars from your paycheck, up to the IRS limit of $7,500 if you are single or married filing jointly, or $3,750 if you are married filing separately. Funds are for your dependent(s) under age 13 or a spouse or dependent incapable of self-care. This FSA pays for eligible child and adult care expenses, such as day care, preschool and nursery school, in-home aid, and more.
Unlike a Healthcare FSA, you cannot be reimbursed for more than you have in your account at the time, and no funds may rollover from year to year. Funds from your pre-tax payroll deductions will become available approximately 3 to 5 days after payday.
For more details about Dependent Care FSAs, including common eligible expenses and who qualifies as a dependent, visit the TASC Dependent Care FSA Qualifications (PDF).
Who May Participate in a dependent care FSA?
The Dependent Care FSAis available to all employees who work over 21 hours per week, including those with a HSA.
