Many small businesses and tax-exempt organizations that provide health insurance coverage to
their employees now qualify for a special tax credit under the recently enacted health reform
legislation, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and Health Care and Education
Reconciliation Act.
The credit is designed to encourage small employers to offer health insurance coverage for the
first time or maintain coverage they already have. In general, the credit is available to small
employers that pay at least half the cost of Single coverage for their employees. Such employers
must also meet certain firm size and wage requirements. The maximum credit is 35 percent of
premiums paid in 2010 by eligible small business employers and 25 percent of premiums paid by
eligible employers that are tax-exempt organizations. In 2014, this maximum credit increases to
50 percent of premiums paid by eligible small business employers and 35 percent of premiums
paid by eligible employers that are tax-exempt organizations.
According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), eligible small businesses can claim the credit as
part of the general business credit starting with the 2010 income tax return they file in 2011. For
tax-exempt employers, the IRS will provide further information on how to claim the credit. More
information about the credit, including tax tips, guides and answers to frequently asked questions
is now available on the IRS website, <IRS.gov>.
If you have any questions about your Health Benefit plan please call us.