GAO Seeks Feedback on Small Employer Health Care Credit

About GAO

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent, nonpartisan agency that works for Congress. GAO reports on how well government programs and policies are meeting their objectives.  www.gao.gov

GAO Focus Groups on the Small Employer Tax Credit

GAO is evaluating IRS’s administration of the Small Employer Tax Credit, a provision in the health care law. 

Beginning with tax year 2010, the credit is available to small employers that offer, and pay 50% of premiums for, employee health insurance.  To be eligible, employers must have less than 25 full time equivalent (FTE) employees, and have average wages of less than $50,000.

To identify possible improvements to the credit, or its administration, GAO is speaking with small businesses that meet the FTE and wage requirements, regardless of whether they claimed the credit or offer insurance.

GAO is interested in:

• How you learned about the credit
• Your experience with the credit
• how you would change the credit to make it more useful to small employers trying to provide health insurance
• The best way for IRS to provide information about small business tax credits
• What would be an incentive to provide health insurance
• Potential benefits of the credit
• (for those who claimed it) any challenges while filing forms
• (for those who did not claim it) why you did not claim the credit, or any challenges if you attempted to claim it

Focus groups would be conducted via phone or at a location in your region, and take no longer than an hour and a half.  In the final report, GAO will not name individuals or businesses who participate.

Contacts

Tom Short, Assistant Director, 202-512-9074, short@gao.gov

Lindsay Swenson, Senior Analyst, 202-512-2768, swensonl@gao.gov

Crystal Robinson, Analyst, 202-512-4781, robinsonc@gao.gov