Question re changes in health insurance premium benefit

[Anonymous]

Hi All.

We have been paying our nanny's health insurance premiums as an additional benefit. It was a non-taxable way to increase her compensation over the years she has been with us.

However, I am confused about whether the regulations around that have changed now? Is it no longer a taxable benefit? Is it now the same as additional compensation which should be reported?

I'd appreciate any input from folks who understand this better.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

There was a long conversation about this at the end of last year; you could try to search for it.

The upshot was that the IRS clarified that the "old" method (what you're doing) could still apply as long as you have only one employee.

You might call to confirm this, however.

[Anonymous]

If you find the thred where this is dicussed, please share! We also have questions on this!!

[Anonymous]

OP here. 16:38 - I did some digging and did find one thing (maybe this is what you meant) in a thread that started last June but ended in December with a similar question. I do think this answers it for us.

For 21:17 - here's the relevant snippet, which includes a link to a helpful article:
/19/2014 15:54
Subject: Re:Employers providing health insurance - anyone use Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP)?
***** [Up]
Anonymous




I just talked to Homepay (previously breedlove) and they have now received clarification that it's okay to reimburse health insurance if you have 1 employee.
They said the IRS is going to release the formal guidance soon, but they received verbal confirmation to confidently say it was okay now.

Here's an article that led me to call them again.

http://regardingnannies.com/2014/12/a-new-wrinkle-...aw-and-how-it-affects-nannies/

YAY SANITY PREVAILS
[Report Post]

[Anonymous]

Related question - how are you all setting this up? Are you paying the premiums directly? Purchasing the plan through SHOP or offering reimbursment? Sorry, we are thinking about doing this but confused! THANK YOU!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Related question - how are you all setting this up? Are you paying the premiums directly? Purchasing the plan through SHOP or offering reimbursment? Sorry, we are thinking about doing this but confused! THANK YOU!

No, we reimburse the nanny directly (and she needs to be able to document that she has the coverage.) We do not get involved in selecting or making direct decisions about her health insurance. You don't want to be involved w/ personal health information. She buys the insurance, gives you documentation of coverage and premium costs, and you reimburse premium costs to the extent you decide. (We started at a 50% reimbursement benefit and then increased to 100% as a way of rewarding performance and tenure.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Related question - how are you all setting this up? Are you paying the premiums directly? Purchasing the plan through SHOP or offering reimbursment? Sorry, we are thinking about doing this but confused! THANK YOU!

No, we reimburse the nanny directly (and she needs to be able to document that she has the coverage.) We do not get involved in selecting or making direct decisions about her health insurance. You don't want to be involved w/ personal health information. She buys the insurance, gives you documentation of coverage and premium costs, and you reimburse premium costs to the extent you decide. (We started at a 50% reimbursement benefit and then increased to 100% as a way of rewarding performance and tenure.)

We're using SHOP, which does require you to select the plan ... like every employer-sponsored health care plan. Since I only have the one employee, we did check to make sure her doctor participates, but I hardly think this is asking for personal medical information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Related question - how are you all setting this up? Are you paying the premiums directly? Purchasing the plan through SHOP or offering reimbursment? Sorry, we are thinking about doing this but confused! THANK YOU!

No, we reimburse the nanny directly (and she needs to be able to document that she has the coverage.) We do not get involved in selecting or making direct decisions about her health insurance. You don't want to be involved w/ personal health information. She buys the insurance, gives you documentation of coverage and premium costs, and you reimburse premium costs to the extent you decide. (We started at a 50% reimbursement benefit and then increased to 100% as a way of rewarding performance and tenure.)

We're using SHOP, which does require you to select the plan ... like every employer-sponsored health care plan. Since I only have the one employee, we did check to make sure her doctor participates, but I hardly think this is asking for personal medical information.

Sure - that works also. Our nanny had selected insurance before the SHOP/ACA stuff so it wasn't an issue for us. (And I'd still rather not have to figure out health insurance plans - it ranks on my list of least favorite things to do!)

But whatever works... Selecting a plan based on physician availability is very different than selecting a plan based on levels of coverage for specific diseases/treatments/prescription coverages etc... which could come into play and make for awkward or inappropriate employer/employee dynamics.

[Anonymous]

Thank you! Agree that selecting a plan is a nightmare! Ok good information to know!