Health Care Reform is Also Tax Reform

Did you know that the recent health care reform act includes so many tax law changes that the Congressional Budget Office says the IRS will need $10 billion and 17,000 new employees to enforce it's share of the rules? It's true! Here are just a few key tax changes:

Starting immediatly, certain small businesses with fewer than 10 employees will get 35% credit for the cost of providing employee health benefits.

Starting in 2011, employers will have to report the value of health benefits on Form W-2.

The Penalty for Health Savings Accounts distributions not used for health care expenses doubles to 20%. This will discourage using HSAs for supplemental retirement savings.

Starting in 2013, the 7.5% floor for deducting medical and dental expenses climbs to 10% (unless you or your spouse are 65 or older, in which case it remains 7.5% until 2016)

Healthcare flexible spending account contributions are capped at $2,500 per year.

Starting in 2014, businesses with more than 50 employees will have to offer health benefits or pay a penalty of $2,000 per employee.

The reconciliation bill that accompanied the act includes one more unwelcomed change. Currently, the Medicare tax is limited to 2.9% of earned income. The reconciliation bill raises that tax by 0.9% of earned income over $200,000 (individuals) and $250,000 (families). It also adds a 3.8% "Unearned Income Medicare Contribution" on investment income (interest, dividends, annuities, royalties, capital gains, and rents) for taxpayers with Adjusted Gross Income above those same thresholds. Those new taxes would take affect in 2013.

The complete bill is 1,018 pages long! So it's going to take some time to analyze. But we will pay close attention and keep you informed as details become available. In the meantime, if you have any questions, be sure to call us at (661) 716-1160.

Quick Reference Sheet on Health Care Reform

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