COBRA: Possible Payroll Tax Credit Allowed on Form 941

By Ron Cohen, CPA, MST
Partner
Greenstein, Rogoff, Olsen & Co., LLP

Update: 12/2/09

This law has expired. There is some discussion in Congress of extending it, but at of 12/2/09, the COBRA benefits are no longer available.

Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, certain individuals who are eligible for COBRA continuation health coverage, or similar coverage under state law, may receive a subsidy for 65 percent of the premium. These individuals are required to pay only 35 percent of the premium. The employer may recover the subsidy provided to assistance-eligible individuals by taking the subsidy amount as a credit on its quarterly employment federal payroll tax return (Form 941). The employer may provide the subsidy — and take the credit on its employment tax return — only after it has received the 35 percent premium payment from the individual.

For more information, please see:

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=204708,00.html

Please call GROCO is you have any questions: (510) 797-8661.