---
title: "FSA & Commuter Benefits Calculator"
description: "Calculate tax savings from health FSA and commuter benefits for 2026. Compare pre-tax savings on medical and transportation expenses."
canonical_url: "https://www.themoneypocket.com/tools/fsa-commuter-benefits-calculator"
last_updated: "2026-07-02T13:57:47.991Z"
---

**Maximize your open enrollment decisions with our FSA and commuter benefits calculator.** See how much you save in income tax and FICA by contributing to a health FSA and pre-tax commuter benefits in 2026.

<fsa-commuter-benefits-calculator>



</fsa-commuter-benefits-calculator>

For a complete guide to 2026 limits, plan types, and FSA vs. HSA rules, see: [FSA and Commuter Benefits Tax Savings Guide](/articles/fsa-and-commuter-benefits-tax-savings-guide).

## Why Pre-Tax Benefits Matter

Health FSAs and commuter benefits are **cafeteria plan** elections that reduce your taxable wages. Unlike 401(k) contributions, FSA and commuter deductions save both **federal income tax** and **FICA taxes** (7.65% for most employees) — making them exceptionally efficient.

For a worker in the 22% bracket, every $1,000 in pre-tax FSA contributions saves approximately **$296** ($220 income tax + $76.50 FICA).

## 2026 Health FSA Limits

<table>
<thead>
  <tr>
    <th>
      Item
    </th>
    
    <th>
      2026
    </th>
    
    <th>
      2025
    </th>
  </tr>
</thead>

<tbody>
  <tr>
    <td>
      Salary reduction limit
    </td>
    
    <td>
      $3,400
    </td>
    
    <td>
      $3,300
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      Maximum carryover
    </td>
    
    <td>
      $680
    </td>
    
    <td>
      $660
    </td>
  </tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Your employer sets the actual contribution limit — it cannot exceed the IRS maximum but may be lower.

### FSA Plan Types

**Use-it-or-lose-it:** Forfeited amounts not spent by year-end are lost. Budget conservatively.

**Carryover:** Up to $680 of unused funds roll to the next plan year. Amounts above the carryover limit are forfeited.

**Grace period:** Some plans allow spending through March 15 of the following year. Check your plan documents.

## 2026 Commuter Benefit Limits

The IRS indexes qualified transportation fringe benefits annually. For 2026:

<table>
<thead>
  <tr>
    <th>
      Benefit
    </th>
    
    <th>
      Monthly Limit
    </th>
    
    <th>
      Annual Maximum
    </th>
  </tr>
</thead>

<tbody>
  <tr>
    <td>
      Transit passes
    </td>
    
    <td>
      $340
    </td>
    
    <td>
      $4,080
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      Qualified parking
    </td>
    
    <td>
      $340
    </td>
    
    <td>
      $4,080
    </td>
  </tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Transit and parking are **separate caps** — if your employer offers both, you can receive up to $340/month for each.

**Important:** Commuter benefits are typically monthly elections. Unused monthly amounts generally do not roll over.

## FSA vs. HSA: Which Is Better?

<table>
<thead>
  <tr>
    <th>
      Feature
    </th>
    
    <th>
      Health FSA
    </th>
    
    <th>
      HSA
    </th>
  </tr>
</thead>

<tbody>
  <tr>
    <td>
      Requires HDHP
    </td>
    
    <td>
      No
    </td>
    
    <td>
      Yes
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      Contribution limit (2026)
    </td>
    
    <td>
      $3,400
    </td>
    
    <td>
      Higher ($4,300+ individual)
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      Funds roll over
    </td>
    
    <td>
      Limited ($680)
    </td>
    
    <td>
      Yes, indefinitely
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      Invest funds
    </td>
    
    <td>
      No
    </td>
    
    <td>
      Yes
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      FICA savings
    </td>
    
    <td>
      Yes
    </td>
    
    <td>
      Yes
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      Available together
    </td>
    
    <td>
      No — generally mutually exclusive
    </td>
    
    <td>
      
    </td>
  </tr>
</tbody>
</table>

If you are HSA-eligible (enrolled in a high-deductible health plan), you generally **cannot** contribute to a general-purpose health FSA. Limited-purpose FSAs (dental/vision only) may still be available.

See our [HSA Calculator](/tools/hsa-calculator) to compare.

## How Tax Savings Are Calculated

Pre-tax benefit savings = contribution × (marginal tax rate + FICA rate)

**Example:** $3,400 health FSA + $200/month transit ($2,400/year) = $5,800 pre-tax

<table>
<thead>
  <tr>
    <th>
      Tax Component
    </th>
    
    <th>
      Rate
    </th>
    
    <th>
      Savings on $5,800
    </th>
  </tr>
</thead>

<tbody>
  <tr>
    <td>
      Federal income tax
    </td>
    
    <td>
      22%
    </td>
    
    <td>
      $1,276
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      FICA (SS + Medicare)
    </td>
    
    <td>
      7.65%
    </td>
    
    <td>
      $444
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      <strong>
        Total
      </strong>
    </td>
    
    <td>
      <strong>
        29.65%
      </strong>
    </td>
    
    <td>
      <strong>
        $1,720
      </strong>
    </td>
  </tr>
</tbody>
</table>

## Open Enrollment Strategy

**Health FSA:** Estimate predictable medical expenses — prescriptions, copays, planned procedures. Do not over-fund a use-it-or-lose-it plan.

**Commuter benefits:** If you have fixed transit or parking costs, pre-tax commuter benefits almost always make sense. Elect the lesser of your actual costs or the $340/month cap.

**Dependent Care FSA:** Separate from health FSA, with a $5,000 limit ($2,500 if married filing separately). Not included in this calculator but worth considering during open enrollment.

## Common Mistakes

**Over-funding the FSA:** The biggest FSA risk is electing more than you'll spend. A $500 over-election in a use-it-or-lose-it plan costs you the full $500.

**Ignoring FICA savings:** Many employees focus only on income tax savings and forget the additional 7.65% FICA benefit.

**Missing commuter benefits:** Employers don't always promote transit and parking benefits, but they can save $1,000+ per year for regular commuters.

## Key Takeaways

- 2026 health FSA limit: **$3,400** with up to **$680** carryover
- Commuter transit and parking: **$340/month** each
- Pre-tax benefits save **income tax + FICA** (unlike 401k, which saves income tax only)
- Budget FSA contributions to expected expenses to avoid forfeiture
- HSA-eligible employees generally cannot use a general health FSA

---

**Related:** [FSA and Commuter Benefits Guide](/articles/fsa-and-commuter-benefits-tax-savings-guide) | [Paycheck After-Tax Calculator](/tools/paycheck-after-tax-calculator) | [HSA Calculator](/tools/hsa-calculator)

*This tool is for informational purposes only and does not guarantee accuracy for your specific tax situation.*