H.R. 886 Calls for Permanent Deduction to Health Insurance Deduction for Self-Employed
Legislation making permanent the health insurance deduction for the self-employed was introduced by Representatives Gerlach (R-PA) and Kind (D-WI) in February, today received the full support of the National Association for the Self-Employed in a letter to the two lawmakers.
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March 20, 2013
Representative Gerlach and Representative Kind:
On behalf of the 22 million self-employed Americans, the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) would like to thank you for introducing H.R. 886, America's Small Business Tax Relief Act of 2013. Your championship of this legislation in the previous and current 113th Congress signals to the small business community that they have two strong advocates working on their behalf in Washington, D.C.
The NASE believes in the commitment by the House Ways and Means Committee to embark on significant corporate and individual tax reform in the months ahead and we hope that your proposed legislation will be a part of the discussion as congressional leaders look to level the playing field and bring equity for the self-employed to the outdated, complex tax code. The bill clearly signals the intent of lawmakers to ensure the viability of America's smallest businesses and will allow these businesses to grow and thrive.
Of the eight provisions included in H.R. 6102, the NASE champions the permanent, full deduction of health insurance for the self-employed. In June 2012 the NASE released its national health care survey, in which 85% of respondents indicated that rising health coverage costs have been detrimental to themselves, their families, their businesses, and their “bottom line” over the past three years. Juxtapose this against the fact that in 2011, the number of insured self-employed was at its highest, 77%. And yet, the self-employed pay on average nearly $1,800 in additional taxes that no other business owners face because they simply decided to purchase health insurance. If the self-employed were allowed to fully deduct their health insurance costs as a business expense, the U.S. economy would have roughly $39 billion injected annually that would allow for individuals to re-invest in their business, purchase goods, and hire additional employees.
We applaud your leadership on these important small business issues and very much look forward to supporting your efforts in securing enactment of this legislation.
Sincerely,
Kristie Arslan
President & CEO