How do I claim COBRA on my taxes?

Asked by: Mr. Santos Raynor  |  Last update: May 2, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (67 votes)

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 ...

How do I report COBRA payments 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.

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.

Do I get a tax form for COBRA?

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.

COBRA Insurance | What You Need to Know

40 related questions found

Can you write off COBRA 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 ...

Do COBRA payments show up on W 2?

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.

Is COBRA considered taxable income?

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Where do I enter 1099 B in Turbo Tax?

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 d and dd in box 12?

Code DD is only information to you to tell you how much your employer spend for health coverage - you do nothing with it. Code D is the amount of salary deferrals to a 401(k) plan. You do nothing with than either other than enter it on the W-2 screen in box 12 just like it is on the paper W-2.

Can you get a refund on COBRA?

Generally, there are no refunds when you cancel your plan early. You may contact your administrator or your past employer for specific insurance payment information.

What is box 14 on W-2?

Box 14 of Form W-2 Wage and Tax Statement allows your employer to enter a variety of information. Employers might use abbreviations and codes in Box 14, and you may need to ask your employer to interpret those abbreviations or codes.

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.

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.

Can I deduct health insurance premiums paid out-of-pocket TurboTax?

Health insurance premiums paid with your own after-tax dollars are tax deductible. For example, if you purchased insurance on your own through a health insurance exchange or directly from an insurance company, the money you paid toward your monthly premiums can be taken as a tax deduction.

How do I deduct COBRA payments on my taxes?

You can only deduct Medicare and COBRA premiums if you itemize your deductions. Plus, you're only eligible to deduct qualifying medical expenses that are more than 7.5% of your AGI for the year. Lastly, premium tax credits can lower the entire cost of health insurance coverage for individuals.

Is COBRA reported on W-2?

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.

Does COBRA send a tax form?

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.

Is COBRA considered income?

No you do not have to report the COBRA assistance as income. Under Sec. 139I, the premium assistance is excluded from an individual's gross income because the employer or other payer can receive a tax credit for providing the coverage.

Do I have to report box 12 d on my tax return?

Box 12 amounts with the code DD signify the total cost of what you and your employer paid for your employer-sponsored health coverage plan. Code DD amounts are for informational purposes only—they don't affect the numbers in your tax return.

Is employee health insurance tax deductible?

Employer-paid premiums for health insurance are exempt from federal income and payroll taxes. Additionally, the portion of premiums employees pay is typically excluded from taxable income. The exclusion of premiums lowers most workers' tax bills and thus reduces their after-tax cost of coverage.