Health Care Tax Credit

Small Business Health Care Tax Credit for Small Employers

Small businesses and tax-exempt organizations may be eligible for a valuable tax credit – the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit. The credit applies to small employers who offer health insurance coverage for the first time or maintain coverage they already have, and is specifically targeted for those with low- and moderate-income workers. In general, the credit is available to small employers and tax-exempt organizations that pay at least half the cost of single coverage for their employees.

For tax years 2010 through 2013, small businesses can claim up to 35 percent and tax-exempt organizations can claim up to 25 percent. An enhanced version of the credit will be effective beginning Jan. 1, 2014. Additional information about the enhanced version will be added to IRS.gov as it becomes available. In general, on Jan. 1, 2014, the rate will increase to 50 percent and 35 percent, respectively.

This tax credit is included in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act approved by Congress in early 2010, and signed into law by President Barack Obama. This credit is one of the first provisions of the bill to go into effect. Eligible small businesses and tax-exempt organizations can claim the credit as part of the general business credit starting with the 2010 income tax return they file in 2011.