Today TaxMama® hears from Larry in the TaxQuips Forum with a quick question. “If an employee pays for his family’s health insurance through payroll withholding, is the amount he pays free from taxes? My clients paid $6,000 in 2012 through payroll withholding and his W-2 gross income in block 1 (and blocks 3 & 5) show only the reduced amount. I know that his coverage paid by the employer is not taxable but I have a problem with this treatment.”

Dear Larry,

When a company has a POP (Premium Only Plan), then, yes, the full amount of the

health insurance premiums paid by the employee come right off the top of their wages – without being taxed for anything. No FICA, no Medicare, no income taxes at all.

In fact, the employer’s own share of these taxes are waived as well. Their workers compensation and other costs based on wages are also reduced. It’s a terrific win-win arrangement.

This is an inexpensive plan to implement for an employer. Most payroll services offer it - talk to PayChex for details on how to set it up – or to your favorite payroll tax company. The administrative costs are more than offset by the tax savings.

And remember, you can find answers to all kinds of questions about health insurance and other tax and business issues, free. Where? Where else? At www.TaxMama.com.

[Note: If you were subscribed to the e-mailed version of TaxQuips, you’d be getting other exciting news and tips by e-mail, that never appear on the site. Please click on the join TaxMama.com link – it’s free!]

Please post all Comments and Replies in the new TaxQuips Forum .

• 
  
  
• 
  Ask TaxMama :: Where taxes are fun and answers are free
  
  
  
• 
  TaxQuips :: The number ONE free tax podcast online
  
  
  
• 
  TaxQuips Forum :: When you can ask questions, too
  
  
  
• 
  TaxQuips Forum :: Where you can add your comments, too
  
  
  

File Download (0:00 min / 3 MB)