Can I claim COBRA payments on my taxes?

Asked by: Ellie Green  |  Last update: June 26, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (25 votes)

Are my COBRA premiums deductible? Yes they are tax deductible as a medical expense. There isn't necessarily a “COBRA Tax Deduction”. You can only deduct the amount of COBRA medical expenses on your federal income tax in excess of 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income and then only if you itemize deductions.

Are COBRA payments taxable?

COBRA premiums may be paid to the employee, and the employee would pay the insurance company directly. Since there is no guarantee that the employee will use the funds to pay the premiums, the funds are considered wages and subject to applicable taxes.

Where do I enter COBRA payments on TurboTax?

Enter your COBRA premiums under Medical insurance premiums.

What is the tax credit for COBRA?

If your coverage is from a former employer, such as COBRA or retiree coverage, you can decline the employer coverage, even if it is affordable and provides minimum value, and may be eligible for the Premium Tax Credit for your Marketplace coverage.

What is the tax form for COBRA payments?

If you had job-based health coverage. Depending on the kind of job-based coverage you had (including COBRA or retiree coverage), you may get one of these from your employer or insurance company: Form 1095-B, Health Coverage. Form 1095-C, Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage.

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34 related questions found

Can I write off COBRA premiums on my taxes?

Are my COBRA premiums deductible? Yes they are tax deductible as a medical expense. There isn't necessarily a “COBRA Tax Deduction”. You can only deduct the amount of COBRA medical expenses on your federal income tax in excess of 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income and then only if you itemize deductions.

Do COBRA payments show up on w2?

In general, each employer providing coverage will have to report the prorated cost on the employee's W-2. If the employee is terminated, the employer can also include the COBRA payment amounts paid by the employee after termination.

What is the tax penalty for COBRA?

The minimum tax levied by the IRS for non-compliance discovered after a notice of examination is generally $2,500. The maximum tax for “unintentional failures” is the lesser of 10% of the amount paid during the preceding tax year by the employer for group health plans, or $500,000.

Can you deduct health insurance premiums without itemizing?

Whether you can deduct health insurance premiums from your tax return also depends on a few factors. First, you'll only be able to deduct premiums as medical expenses if you itemize deductions on your tax return, but not if you take the standard deduction. See more details at the bottom of this section.

What is COBRA IRS?

Page 1. COBRA is the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, the law that. 1. added the health care continuation coverage requirements. HIPAA is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.

Can I claim my health insurance premiums on my taxes?

You can include health insurance premiums in your medical expense calculations. However, certain premiums are not eligible for medical expense deductions. You cannot include the following premiums in your tax deductions: Life insurance policies.

How do I report COBRA on 1095?

If using form 1095-C for COBRA reporting, you would enter codes 1G and 2A in part II lines 14 and 16, respectively. Line 15 is not required as affordability is not assessed for COBRA individuals.

Where do I enter 1099 B in TurboTax?

Here's where you enter or import your 1099-B in TurboTax:
  1. Open or continue your return.
  2. Navigate to the 1099-B section: TurboTax Online/Mobile: Go to 1099-B. ...
  3. Follow the onscreen instructions. ...
  4. On the following screens, answer the questions about your 1099-B. ...
  5. If you need to add another 1099-B, select Add investments.

What is box 14 on W-2 for health insurance?

Box 14 is used to report amounts that don't belong in other boxes on Form W-2. Employers can use it to report additional tax or income information for filing or informational purposes. Some employers use box 14 to report amounts deducted for State Disability Insurance taxes or union dues that may be tax deductible.

What is the 60 day loophole for cobras?

You have 60 days to enroll in COBRA once your employer-sponsored benefits end. Even if your enrollment is delayed, you will be covered by COBRA starting the day your prior coverage ended.

What is included in box 12 dd on W-2?

The Affordable Care Act requires employers to report the cost of coverage under an employer-sponsored group health plan on an employee's Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, in Box 12, using Code DD.

Can you deduct cobra payments on your taxes?

According to the Federal tax laws, your unreimbursed COBRA payments are, in fact, deductible as medical expenses on your 1040 tax return in the same way that you can deduct unreimbursed payments for legal medical services provided by physicians, surgeons, dentists, and other medical practitioners, as well as any ...

Are there any deductions you can take without itemizing?

To reap the benefits of deductions without the hassle of itemization, Backman notes you'll need line items that fall into these categories — contributions to your IRA, contributions to your HSA (health savings account), expenses you incur as a teacher like purchasing classroom supplies, and interest on student loans.

Is it worth claiming medical expenses on taxes?

The medical expense deduction covers a wide variety of expenses. However, because of the high Standard Deduction and the 7.5% of AGI threshold requirement, it can be difficult to benefit unless you have a lot of out-of-pocket costs.

Does COBRA get reported on w2?

If the employer charges a COBRA premium for such coverage, then it must be included in the aggregate reportable cost on the Form W-2.

What is COBRA tax?

COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) is a federal law that requires employers of 20 or more employees who offer health care benefits to offer the option of continuing this coverage to individuals who would otherwise lose their benefits due to termination of employment, reduction in hours or ...

Is ACA premium tax deductible?

Type of insurance plan: Dental policies, Medicare, and health insurance policies purchased through the ACA marketplace may be eligible for a deduction if you pay for the premiums out of pocket. However, long-term care insurance is only deductible up to a certain annual limit based on your age.

Do I get a 1095 if I am on COBRA?

Enrollment in Health Insurance will generate tax forms. Form 1095 will be issued by your insurance carrier. This form is for informational purposes and should be kept with your tax documentation.

What does code D in box 12 mean?

D – Elective deferral under a Section 401(k) cash or arrangement plan. This includes a SIMPLE 401(k) arrangement. You may be able to claim the Saver's Credit, Form 1040 Schedule 3, line 4. See Form 1040 Instructions for details. E – Code E includes elective deferrals under a Section 403(b) salary reduction agreement.

Is employee health insurance tax deductible?

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) allows employers to deduct a few healthcare benefits. The following are common types of tax-deductible plans and contributions: Group health insurance premium payments. Health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) reimbursements.