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NASE Supports Bipartisan Legislation to Deduct Health Insurance Costs
The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) enthusiastically supports H.R. 3880, “Tax Fairness for the Self-Employed Act” introduced by Congressman Antonio Delgado (D-NY) and Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (R-PA). The legislation would allow the 34 million self-employed individuals to deduct their health care premiums as a business deduction, saving self-employed individuals an average of $750 a year.
The NASE has long advocated for parity in the tax code for America’s self-employed, especially tax benefits that have long been afforded to corporate America. One of the biggest expenses a sole-proprietors absorbs is the cost of health insurance and ensuring that America’s small businesses, the backbone of our economy, receive the same tax treatment would be monumental.
“Every day, we are advocating for the tax parity for the self-employed, the NASE applauds this bipartisan effort to address a glaring disparity with our current tax code. It is a breath of fresh air to know that lawmakers are focused on common-sense solutions to help support and encourage continued economic growth for the 34 million self-employed Americans that run their businesses.
Under current law, employees and employers each receive a tax benefit for contributing to an employee’s health insurance premiums—employees are able to utilize pre-tax dollars for their share while employers deduct their contribution as a tax-exempt business expense. Self-employed individuals pay taxes as both the employer and employee, however, they are prohibited them from deducting this contribution as a business expense as other employers do. As introduced, the Tax Fairness for the Self-Employed Act would allow self-employed individuals to deduct their health insurance premiums as a business expense, and continue to allow them to deduct costs from their individual income tax.
Meet The Author:
As Vice President for Government Relations and Public Affairs, I work to explain how actions on Capitol Hill can impact the self-employed. I love D.C. and have made my home in Capitol Hill, where I live with my husband and black Labrador, Coltrane. We love playing volleyball and softball on the National Mall.
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