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Level 2
June 5, 2019
Solved

Can I claim health coverage cost, that is deducted from my pay, on a bi-weekly basis?

  • June 5, 2019
  • 2 replies
  • 7 views
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Best answer by gtaffo

Yes, you can deduct health insurance premium if the insurance plan is not offered through your employer.

You can't deduct your share of health coverage costs for a group plan offered through your employer as those premiums are paid with pre-tax dollars, which means they are deducted from your wages before taxes are applied. Deducting them again as a medical expense would be "double-dipping."

You can only deduct the premiums if your employer included them in Box 1 (Gross Wages) of your W-2. However, this is highly unusual and contrary to the standard practice.

Similarly, HSA and MSA contributions that come out of your paycheck aren't deductible either, as these contributions are funded with pre-tax dollars.

2 replies

gtaffoAnswer
Level 6
June 5, 2019

Yes, you can deduct health insurance premium if the insurance plan is not offered through your employer.

You can't deduct your share of health coverage costs for a group plan offered through your employer as those premiums are paid with pre-tax dollars, which means they are deducted from your wages before taxes are applied. Deducting them again as a medical expense would be "double-dipping."

You can only deduct the premiums if your employer included them in Box 1 (Gross Wages) of your W-2. However, this is highly unusual and contrary to the standard practice.

Similarly, HSA and MSA contributions that come out of your paycheck aren't deductible either, as these contributions are funded with pre-tax dollars.

Level 2
June 5, 2019

Great! Well i get Aetna and it is offered through my employer, so I can understand why I cannot claim it. thank you!