Summary of Small Business Jobs and Credit Act:
http://www.nase.org/About/PressReleases/10-09-28/Small_Business_Jobs_Credit_Act_Signed_Into_Law.aspx
The self-employed have not received the same tax benefit related to health insurance expenses that all other businesses entities have enjoyed. Various business entities are able to fully deduct the cost of health coverage as a business expense, saving them a significant amount in payroll taxes.
With the passage of the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act, the self-employed will be allowed to take a one year tax deduction on health costs for payroll tax (self-employment tax) purposes.
Here is some guidance to determine whether you can benefit from this new deduction:
1) Who can qualify for this one-year self-employment tax deduction on health costs?
Self-employed business owners that meet all of the following requirements can take advantage of this new tax deduction:
• Files an IRS Form 1040 Schedule C tax form - this includes sole proprietors, single
member LLCs, and sole owner S-Corporations.
• Pays self-employment taxes via IRS Form 1040 Schedule SE.
• Pays for individual or family health coverage in 2010.
2) When can I take this deduction?
This deduction is available on health costs paid out by self-employed business owners in 2010.
Self-employed business owners should look to take advantage of this deduction when preparing their taxes next year in time for the April 15, 2011 tax filing deadline.
3) How much will I save with this one-year tax deduction on health costs?
The self-employed must pay the employer and employee contribution to payroll taxes, totaling 15.3 percent on business income. For the self-employed, payroll taxes are called self employment taxes.
To calculate your savings from this new tax deduction, simply add up your total 2010 health insurance costs and multiply that by 15.3 percent. The resulting amount will be the amount you will save on your self-employment taxes in 2011.
According to a report on individual health insurance released by America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), annual premiums averaged $2,985 for single coverage and $6,328 for family plans nationwide in mid 2009. A majority of the self-employed with health coverage currently purchase it via the individual insurance market.
Based on these average premium costs, the new one-year tax deduction on health costs for payroll tax purposes would save self-employed business owners approximately $456.71 to $968.14 in taxes.
4) What if I purchased health coverage mid-year or am planning to purchase health coverage this year, will I still get the benefit from the tax deduction?
If you meet the above qualification requirements in Question 1, you can still benefit from this one-year tax deduction.
Since the benefit of the deduction is larger for those with higher health costs, those who
purchased coverage mid year or will be purchasing health insurance in 2010 will simply have a smaller tax benefit when they file their taxes in 2011.
5) What are the next steps a self-employed business owner should take to ensure they qualify and benefit from this one year self-employment tax deduction on health costs?
Self-employed business owners should inform their tax professional about this new one-year tax deduction. Prior to filing your taxes next year, your tax professional can determine whether you qualify and can take this tax benefit.
In addition, the National Association for the Self-Employed has numerous resources on our website, www.NASE.org, to assist the self-employed with understanding the benefits of the Small Business Jobs Act.
NASE’s TaxTalk service can provide online assistance to business owners with questions about this new deduction or other tax related issues.
NASE TaxTalk: http://www.nase.org/KnowledgeCenter/MyConsultants/TaxTalk.aspx
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