Small Business Healthcare Tax Credit

tax credit

Health Tax Credit

It’s been said once or twice before, sometimes, great things come in small packages. And in recognition of the value of your small business, we have a word of good news for you. In the upcoming tax season, you may receive some tax alleviation for merely being small. As an owner, you can count your healthcare expenses as a business expense. So, while there are a few requirements and some restrictions, you might be looking forward to a tax break next spring, thanks to the Small Business Healthcare Tax Credit.

What is the Small Business Healthcare Tax Credit?

The Small Business Healthcare Tax Credit, included in the Affordable Care Act, benefits small employers who provide health coverage to their employees. This could be worth up to 50 percent of costs paid in employees’ premiums, or 35 percent for non-profits. With this new addition, it pays to be small and to care for your employees.

Requirements to qualify: 

Generally, the only way a small business or non-profit can claim the Small Business Healthcare Tax Credit is by enrolling in the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP). And to qualify for this program, a business must: a
  • Have fewer than 25 full-time employees
  • Pay an average salary to the employees that is less than $51,600 per year. This does not apply to the owner’s salary.
  • Pay at least 50 percent of their employees’ health insurance premiums
  • SHOP coverage is offered to all full-time employees
    • As an employer, offering this coverage to employees who are considered part-time, is optional and not required as it is for those working full-time.
The smaller your company, the bigger the credit. And the benefit is highest for companies with fewer than ten employees paid under $25,000. There are some restrictions, however.

Limitations: 

The 50 percent tax credit represents the maximum credit available to a business. However, this credit will be reduced under certain circumstances as some small employers might not qualify for the full amount. These circumstances are listed below:

  • The employer has more than ten full-time equivalent employees
  • The annual wages of the business’s full-time employees exceeds $25,800 in the years 2015 or later
  • The company’s health insurance premiums are higher than the average amount paid in premiums in their geographical area

It is also important to note that there are no tax credits for the owners of the business. This means that small businesses can not receive credit for insurance premiums paid on the owner’s behalf. “Owners†include owners of corporations, partners in partnerships, and sole proprietors. Additionally, there is no tax credit available to employees who own more than five percent of a C corporation and those who own more than two percent of an S corporation.

Flexible Credit: 

The tax credit can be applied forward or back to other tax years. So, let’s say a small business didn’t owe any money in taxes one year but did a year prior. That company would be able to apply their credit to their balance and still receive the benefits. Similarly, an employer could carry their credit forward in expectation of tax liabilities in the coming year.

While there are many incentives to offer health insurance to your employees, as a small business owner, you may feel financially unable to do so. That’s why this tax credit aims to assist small businesses like yours to ease such steep healthcare costs. If you are interested in offering health insurance to your employees but don’t know where to begin, reach out to an experienced health insurance professional. We at Bernardini and Donovan are here to advise each of your questions and concerns for this endeavor. Call on us today!

Understanding Changes To The Small Business Health Care Tax Credit

Preparing Your Small Business For Tax Season

With tax season just around the corner, small business owners must consider whether or not they will be taking advantage of the small business health care tax credit. New changes surrounding the small business health care tax credit mean that you simply cannot sign off on the paperwork from last year. To ensure that you are in complete understanding of your responsibility in regards to this tax credit, allow the following informational points to guide you:

  • Starting in 2014 and continuing to following years, the maximum tax credit increases to 50 percent of paid premiums for small business employers. However, the maximum tax credit increases to 35 percent of paid premiums for small tax-exempt employers.
  • In order to be eligible for the small business health care tax credit, you must pay premiums on behalf of your team that has enrolled in a qualified health insurance plan. These plans must be obtained through the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP).
  • You can be eligible to take advantage of the small business health care tax credit for two consecutive taxable years.
  • To claim the tax credit, you must file Form 8941 – Credit for Small Employer Health Insurance Premiums. This will guide you through the process of calculating the tax credit.
  • As a small business employer, you may be eligible to carry the tax credit back or forward. In order to determine your eligibility, seek guidance from a Certified Covered California agent, such as the experienced and knowledgeable professionals at Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services.

Rather than leaving yourself unprotected, seek the care you deserve today! Contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services in Redlands for all of your California health insurance needs. As Covered California experts, you can rest assured that we will be your guiding hand in the realm of health insurance and health care.

SHOP: How It Can Benefit Your Small Business

With all the confusion surrounding the implications of the Affordable Care Act, it is imperative that you utilize all the available options as a business owner. The Small Business Health Options Program has been put in place to guide small businesses through the process of offering health coverage to their employees.

As a small business owner with 50 or fewer full-time employees, you are given the opportunity to take advantage of the Small Business Health Options Program Marketplace, also known as SHOP. If you are a small business owner with less than 25 employees, you may be eligible to receive tax credits when purchasing health coverage for your employees through the Small Business Health Options Program.

Benefits of The Small Business Health Options Program, Include:

  • You are in control of what coverage you offer your employees and how much you pay toward employee premiums.
  • Your business’ needs and your employees’ needs can be met by choosing between 4 different levels of coverage.
  • You can choose to begin coverage at any time. As long as you enroll by the 15th of the month, coverage will begin on the 1st of the following month.
  • As previously mentioned, as a small business with fewer than 25 employees, you may be eligible to receive a tax credit.

Qualifying Terms for The Small Business Health Options Program, Include:

  • Any business with 50 or less full time employees may be qualified to offer employees coverage through SHOP.
  • If you are interested in using SHOP, you must offer coverage to every single one of your full time employees.
  • If you are looking to use SHOP, you may be required to have a large majority your employees enroll in your SHOP plan. This percentage is typically around 70 percent.
  • You must be within the boundaries of a SHOP service area to utilize the service.

Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services strives to provide Redlands, California residents with excellent insurance services custom tailored to meet your unique needs. Contact us today and allow us customize a unique health insurance package for your family based on your needs.

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