May 12, 2010

 

 

Dear Client:

 

We are writing to give you an overview of tax law changes recently enacted by health care reform legislation and how it affects individuals, and small and large businesses.  Together, the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” and the “Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act” establish a mandate for most U.S. residents to obtain health insurance. Please call our offices or visit our website at http://www.goslingcpa.com/HealthReform2010.html for details of how the new changes may affect your specific situation.

 

 

 

 

Calendar of Health Care Reform Law Provisions

 

2010

*  Dependent coverage available for dependents under age 27 who are not covered by another employer-sponsored plan

*  Small employer (less than 50 full-time equivalent employees) health insurance credit available for making contributions to buy health insurance for its employees

*  Maximum adoption credit and adoption exclusion are increased by $1,000 to $13,170 per child

*  10% excise tax imposed on any indoor tanning service

 

2011

*  W-2 must include cost of employer-provided health insurance

*  Costs for over-the-counter drugs not prescribed by a doctor not allowed to be reimbursed through a flexible-spending account, health reimbursement account, or an Archer Medical Savings Account

*  Small employers (average 100 or fewer employees prior 2 years) may establish simplified cafeteria plans for their employees

 

2012

*  Requirement to file information returns (1099’s) for payments to corporations of $600 or more

 

2013

*  Flexible-spending account contributions limited to $2,500

*  Additional Medicare tax of .9% on wages and self-employment income over $250,000 for joint filers $125,000 for married filing separate filers, and $200,000 for all others

*  3.8% Medicare tax imposed on investment income of high income filers

*  Floor on unreimbursed medical expenses deducted raised from 7.5% of adjusted gross income to 10% (Remains unchanged for people age 65 and older)

 

2014

*  Individuals not carrying health insurance begin paying a graduated penalty

*  Large employers not offering affordable health insurance coverage must pay penalty

*  Employers offering minimum coverage and paying a portion of that coverage must provide qualified employees with "free choice" voucher

*  Exchanges made available to individuals and small businesses

*  Refundable tax credit ("premium assistance credit") available to qualifying taxpayers who get health insurance coverage through a state-established American Health Benefit Exchange

*  Qualified health plans may be offered through cafeteria plans by qualified employers

 

2017

*  Floor on unreimbursed medical expenses for people 65 & older increased to 10%

 

 

 

 

 

We hope this information is helpful. If you would like more details about these provisions or any other aspect of the new law, please do not hesitate to call our office or visit our website at http://www.goslingcpa.com/HealthReform2010.html.

 

Very truly yours,

 

Gosling & Company, P.C.

Certified Public Accountants

 

IRS Circular 230 Disclosure: To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the IRS, we inform you that any U.S. federal tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein or in any attachment hereto.