Many individuals and families in the U.S. spend a lot of money each month on health insurance premiums. People always try to find ways which can help to reduce the amount they are supposed to pay in health care. A frequent question is: Can you take insurance premiums as a tax deduction? Learning about how tax applies to your Health care expenses will help you to save funds and make informed financial choices.
Here, we’ll explain who can deduct insurance premiums on their tax return, the rules for the self employed, and other ways to reduce your taxes regarding healthcare costs.
What Are Health Insurance Premiums?
They are the fixed monthly payments you are required to make for an active health insurance policy. What you’re paying covers the cost of the policy but not deductibles, co-pays, and other out of pocket expenses.
In 2010, when the Affordable Care Act was introduced, some families qualify for premium tax credits, first to offset these costs, especially if you buy a plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Can Health Insurance Premiums Be Deducted From Tax?
Employer-Sponsored Plans
If your health insurance is supplied by an employer-sponsored plan, usually your premiums come out of your paycheck with pre-tax dollars. If the amount isn’t included in your taxable income, you cannot subsequently deduct it for tax purposes.
Individually Purchased Plans
If someone purchases their insurance with after tax dollars, the premiums may be tax deductible. But this deduction is only available if your total unreimbursed medical expenses exceed 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income (AGI).
Self-Employed Individuals
Self employed individuals get the best of advantages. That said, they can also deduct 100 percent of their health insurance premiums directly from their adjusted gross, even if we are currently operating under the adjusted gross income threshold of 7.5 percent, which itself is under assault. However, this deduction is subject to certain conditions:
You also can’t be eligible for an employer sponsored plan from another job or through your spouse’s plan.
You cannot exceed the amount of your net business income when you select your deductible amount.
How to Calculate Your Medical Expense Deduction
To determine your deduction, follow these steps:
Calculate 7.5% of Your AGI:
Multiply your AGI by 7.5%. In fact, let’s consider your AGI being $50,000, and accordingly, $3,750.
Add Up Qualified Medical Expenses: That includes premiums, doctor visits, surgeries, dental and vision care and more out-of pocket healthcare costs.
Subtract the Threshold Amount: Take away from your total expenses the 7.5% threshold. The remaining part is tax deductible.
Example Calculation:
If your AGI is $50,000 and your total medical expenses are $6,000:
Threshold: $3,750 (7.5% of $50,000)
Deductible Expenses: $6,000 – $3,750 = $2,250
You can take a tax deduction of $2,250.
Search for ‘Health Insurance Marketplace’ and‘Premium Tax Credits’
If you buy health insurance on the Health Insurance Marketplace, you may be eligible for premium tax credits. These are credits that help determine your premiums—these can save you a lot of money each month.
To require these credits, most often an income of 100 percent to 400 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). Under expanded provisions, people earning up to 400% of the FPL may still qualify through 2025.
Itemized vs. Standard Deductions
Medical expenses can be deducted only if you itemize your deductions on Schedule A (Form 1040). You should not itemize if your total itemized deductions are lower than the standard deduction.
Standard Deduction Amounts for 2024:
Individual Filers: $14,600
Married Filing Jointly: $29,200
Other Ways to Lower Your Tax Bill
But these include Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs).
Getting a high deductible health plan (HDHP) and letting you open a Health Savings Account (HSA) with it is the way we pick to help reduce your monthly premiums. Both contributions to HSAs as well as withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are tax-free and tax deductible.
HSA Limits for 2024:
Individual Contribution Limit: $4,150
Family Contribution Limit: $8,300
COBRA Coverage and HSAs
If you continue COBRA coverage, you can pay the premiums with HSA dollars — either entirely or partially. If you are unemployed and enrolled in an HDHP, this option is available too.
Limitations of Tax Deductions
The tax benefits of deducting premiums or using HSAs sounds great, but aren’t for everyone. If you have some major health problems, you may prefer a more complete insurance plan than an HDHPs where more finance responsibility is put over to you.
Medical Expenses That Can Be Deducted From Your Taxes
Examples of deductible expenses include:
Doctor visits
Dental and vision care
Surgeries and hospital stays
Mental health treatments
Non-Deductible Expenses:
Non-prescription medications
Toiletries and cosmetics
Funeral expenses
Conclusion
That depends on your financial situation, what type of plan you have and your eligibility for deductions or credits when determining whether your insurance premiums are tax deductible. Getting pre-tax benefits on employer sponsored plans is standard but for those who self employed and who buy their own insurance may have to search outside the box.
If the tax benefits are maximized and IRS regulations are complied with, then consulting a tax professional makes great sense. However, with your application, you could actually potentially save thousands of dollars on your healthcare expenses.
