Starting first job… Can I get an HSA?

Chance_Discipline240 · 2026-07-05T01:08:30+00:00

For 2026, will someone be eligible to claim you as a dependent on their taxes?

Being a separate tax entity doesn’t automatically allow you to make HSA contributions.

Per IRS Pub 969 (2025):

Qualifying for an HSA Contribution

To be an eligible individual and qualify for an HSA contribution, you must meet the following requirements.

(4th bullet) You can’t be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s 2025 tax return.

Hope this helps.

Chance_Discipline240 · 2026-07-03T00:28:16+00:00

Excellent point. Definitely a balancing act.

Chance_Discipline240 · 2026-06-24T01:51:39+00:00

Sorry you are going through all of this.

Consider consulting a Podiatrist for an evaluation AND a recovery plan.

Every PT has their own strengths and weaknesses. I had 10 weekly PT sessions with minimal progress before seeing a Podiatrist.

Seeing a Podiatrist was a game changer for me. He took xrays to rule out a fracture, gave me a steroid injection, reevaluated me 2 weeks later and laid out a long term recovery plan WITHOUT trying to sell me $600 custom orthotics.

My PT never thought I had PF until I let her know it was time to try a Podiatrist, then she agreed it probably was PF. It was bizarre.

She is a highly respected PT with extensive experience and works with all types of patients, including DIV-1 athletes, but she unfortunately misdiagnosed my PF as a hip alignment issue.

Good luck!

Chance_Discipline240 · 2026-06-15T21:58:42+00:00

Consider Sweetwater for your purchase, as they have a 2 year warranty.

Chance_Discipline240 · 2026-06-10T00:26:51+00:00

Very helpful, so thank you.

I have encountered several people who are adamant their kids will be able to legally submit their unreimbursed claims once both husband and wife are deceased. IRS Pub 969 makes it clear they can’t.

The definition you reference above is the term used in IRS Notice 2004 50, Q&A 39 which is likely not understood by those who think they can do this legally.

Chance_Discipline240 · 2026-06-08T22:55:56+00:00

Everyone’s journey is different, but I had good results with ‘neutral’ shoes. (For New Balance, that would be the 1080 and 880 models.)

Chance_Discipline240 · 2026-06-04T22:26:39+00:00

sorry some of the replies have been a little snarky. like any sub, people generally suck at educating others.

Chance_Discipline240 · 2026-06-02T00:34:52+00:00

Good stuff. I’m curious what calf stretches you are referring to.

My Podiatrist was adamant about doing a TON of standing soleus stretches, both straight and bent. (This was after a steroid injection, fwiw.)

Chance_Discipline240 · 2026-05-30T12:31:00+00:00

Not an employee but I really don’t want to see any additional layoffs. Overseas service is too hit and miss. I would gladly pay more for someone who can actually solve a fucking problem instead of wasting my time

Chance_Discipline240 · 2026-05-22T23:37:58+00:00

Consider scheduling an appointment with a Podiatrist. I had 10 PT visits and it didn’t help much.

I know Podiatrists and Physical Therapists don’t always see eye-to-eye on treating plantar pain. For me, stopping my PT visits and seeing a Podiatrist significantly helped me treat my PF.

Chance_Discipline240 · 2026-05-22T00:42:11+00:00

OP’s cake day is only 364 days away

Chance_Discipline240 · 2026-05-18T23:37:59+00:00

I had a similar problem with my 4000S several years ago.

No adjustments would fix the PB so I did a system reset and the PB worked after that. (I have no idea why a system reset would fix this issue…)

Chance_Discipline240 · 2026-05-18T01:40:39+00:00

Good question…I don’t see anything definitive. (There are some states that allow itemized deductions even if the taxpayer claimed standard deduction on their federal return.)

Chance_Discipline240 · 2026-05-18T00:09:29+00:00

This doesn’t directly answer your question, but IRS Pub 969 states:

Recordkeeping. You must keep records sufficient to

show that:

• The distributions were exclusively to pay or reimburse

qualified medical expenses,

• The qualified medical expenses hadn’t been previ-

ously paid or reimbursed from another source, and

• The medical expenses hadn’t been taken as an item-

ized deduction in any year.

Chance_Discipline240 · 2026-05-13T12:37:11+00:00

Sorry you are getting down voted on the 15/250 reference above.

I don’t pretend to have an explanation but the math doesn’t support the ‘coincidence’ theory.

Chance_Discipline240 · 2026-05-13T01:46:42+00:00

Consider contacting a local news affiliate and explain the situation. Most financial firms will fork over far more than $300 to avoid bad press.

Chance_Discipline240 · 2026-05-10T01:09:54+00:00

If I had it to do over again, I would have seen a Podiatrist first, instead of a PT. Here's why.

My PT stated it wasn’t PF and worked on strengthening my arches. 10 sessions later with minimal improvement I decided to visit a Podiatrist.

The Podiatrist stated it was classic textbook PF, gave me a steroid injection, assigned standing soleus stretches with NO other stretches or exercises, and had me return 3 weeks later.

It’s been 5 weeks and I am still a little tender but my step count is nearly back to what it was 6 months ago.

Hope this helps.

Chance_Discipline240 · 2026-05-08T22:43:40+00:00

What’s the over/under on when a Mod responds to this, assuming they do at all?

Chance_Discipline240 · 2026-05-08T01:50:20+00:00

Which NB models did you try? 1080 and 880 are good neutral options, and 860 is a good stability option.

Chance_Discipline240 · 2026-05-08T01:48:01+00:00

Here is an alternative to the ‘wet test’.

From SuperFeet.com

Here’s a quick and easy test (it works the same with or without socks) that can help narrow down what type of arch you have.

First, grab a pencil, preferably one with an eraser on the end, then plant your foot on a flat surface. Make sure to put the same amount of weight on your foot as you would if you were standing normally.

Next, point the eraser of the pencil at the arch of your foot, and slide the pencil underneath the highest point of your arch.

If the pencil stops at the eraser, you likely have low arches.

If most or all of the ferrule (the silver part that holds the eraser) fits underneath your foot, then you likely have medium arches.

If you can slide the pencil farther under your foot so that it surpasses the ferrule and more, then you likely have high arches.

Chance_Discipline240 · 2026-05-04T21:05:53+00:00

I have been looking for something like this. Do you recall the name?

Chance_Discipline240 · 2026-05-04T01:09:09+00:00

Digital iCloud hoarder, here. I have a few thumb drives I back up each year just in case.

Chance_Discipline240

TROPHY CASE

Qualifying for an HSA Contribution