What is the COBRA premium assistance credit?

Asked by: Uriel Halvorson  |  Last update: December 1, 2023
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The tax credit is intended to offset Medicare tax liability. If the amount of COBRA premium assistance provided to qualifying individuals exceeds the Medicare tax payable (for example, in the case of a multiemployer plan that does not have any Medicare tax liability), a refund of the excess amount can be requested.

What is the COBRA premium subsidy credit?

The subsidy applies to assistance eligible individuals (AEIs) who elect COBRA health care continuation coverage following a reduction in hours or an involuntary termination of employment.

Does COBRA qualify for premium tax credit?

Does my eligibility for COBRA or other continuation coverage affect my eligibility for premium tax credits or cost-sharing assistance in the Marketplace? No, Just being eligible for COBRA doesn't affect your eligibility for premium tax credits or cost-sharing assistance if you enroll in a Marketplace plan.

How does the new COBRA subsidy work?

The COBRA subsidy employer tax credit is intended to offset the employer's Medicare tax liability. It is a fully refundable tax credit, meaning that employers can receive a refund from the IRS if the available credit exceeds their Medicare tax liability for the quarter.

What is the ARPA credit for COBRA?

For assistance-eligible individuals (AEIs), ARPA offered 100% subsidies of COBRA premiums for coverage periods from April 1, 2021 through Sept. 30, 2021. Employers typically provided the COBRA premium assistance and sought reimbursement by claiming a tax credit on their quarterly employment taxes.

COBRA Premium Assistance Program Guidance

26 related questions found

Who is eligible for ARPA COBRA subsidy?

Q: Who is eligible for the ARP COBRA subsidy? A: Only Assistance Eligible Individuals (AEIs) may receive the subsidy. The ARP defines an AEI as a COBRA qualified beneficiary (QB) who: Lost plan coverage due to a reduction in hours or an involuntary termination of employment; and.

How do I claim my ARPA tax credit?

The minimum advance amount that can be claimed on a Form 7200 is $25. A Form 7200 requesting an advance payment of less than $25 will not be processed. Taxpayers can claim credits of less than $25 on the Form 941, Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax ReturnPDF.

How does COBRA tax credit work?

The tax credit is intended to offset Medicare tax liability. If the amount of COBRA premium assistance provided to qualifying individuals exceeds the Medicare tax payable (for example, in the case of a multiemployer plan that does not have any Medicare tax liability), a refund of the excess amount can be requested.

When did COBRA premium assistance end?

As we mentioned in our May 23, 2021, article, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) provides a 100 percent premium subsidy for continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) between April 1 and September 30, 2021, for certain assistance eligible individuals (AEIs).

What is the summary of COBRA premium assistance provisions?

under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

This law subsidizes the full COBRA premium for Assistance Eligible Individuals for periods of coverage from April 1, 2021, through September 30, 2021. cannot claim the Health Coverage Tax Credit.

What disqualifies you from the premium tax credit?

If you enroll in an employer-sponsored plan, including retiree coverage, that is minimum essential coverage you are not eligible for the premium tax credit for your Marketplace coverage, even if the employer plan is unaffordable or fails to provide minimum value.

What type of credit is the premium tax credit?

The premium tax credit – also known as PTC – is a refundable credit that helps eligible individuals and families cover the premiums for their health insurance purchased through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Can you get a refund for COBRA?

COBRA is the law that requires your previous employer to offer coverage through their group health plan. You would need to contact your previous employer's COBRA Administrator (usually in the HR Department) or you may contact your provider directly to inquire about a refund for payments you've made after cancellation.

What is a subsidy credit?

At a glance

A subsidy is a benefit offered to an individual or group, usually from a governing body. They can come in the form of direct payments, like a cash payment, or indirect payments like a tax credit.

Did COBRA subsidy expire?

In August 2021, notices were sent to qualifying individuals informing them that the premium assistance credit would end as of September 30, 2021.

When did COBRA premium assistance start?

The premium assistance is available for periods of COBRA coverage beginning after April 1, 2021, but not for periods beginning after Sept. 30, 2021.

What is the American Rescue Plan COBRA premium subsidy?

What is the American Rescue Plan COBRA Premium Assistance program? The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 provides COBRA premium assistance to help eligible individual continue their health benefits. Eligible individuals are not required to pay their COBRA premiums.

Is COBRA extended because of COVID?

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released a new final rule that temporarily extends the period in which eligible employees can elect COBRA health insurance coverage, and the deadline for them to begin making COBRA premium payments.

Is a COBRA subsidy taxable?

If the employee receives the funds and can provide supporting documentation of the payment to the insurer, the funds are also nontaxable. If there is no verification that the employee used the funds to pay for the premiums, the amounts are included in wages and are taxable.

Is COBRA subsidy reported on w2?

When you're ready to report, the value of employer-sponsored health coverage is to be reported in Box 12 of the W-2, using the code “DD.” What are the COBRA guidelines? You are not required to report the value of coverage provided for a COBRA participant.

What are COBRA payments under stimulus package?

The federal government will pay 100 percent of COBRA insurance premiums for eligible employees who lost their jobs and for their covered relatives through September, allowing them to stay on their company-sponsored health plan, under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that President Joe Biden signed into law on March ...

How to get $7,000 tax refund?

Below are the requirements to receive the Earned Income Tax Credit in the United States:
  1. Have worked and earned income less than $59,187.
  2. Have investment income less than $10,300 in tax year 2022.
  3. Have a valid Social Security number by the due date of your 2021 return.
  4. Be a US citizen or resident alien for the entire year.

Can I still apply for the employee retention credit in 2023?

For 2023 ERC updates and beyond, eligible employers and businesses ERC deadline isn't until April 15th, 2024, for retroactively filing ERC credit claims for eligible quarters from the 2020 tax year. April 15th, 2025, is the deadline to claim the tax credit for eligible quarters from the 2021 tax year.

What is the ERC refund program for 2023?

You can file for the employee retention tax credit in 2023 if you haven't already. This is known as filing for the ERC “retroactively.” You can do this by submitting an Adjusted Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return or Claim for Refund, Form 941-X. This is an amendment to your original payroll tax return, Form 941.