An intro to premiums
Health insurance premiums – a line item added to the budget, but rarely considered for its possible financial benefits. It’s important to know that not all premiums are in fact, created equal. In fact, you could be eligible for a tax break depending on what kind of premiums you pay.
What exactly are health insurance premiums?
To fill the gaps in healthcare needs, most Canadians pay for certain health care services through their employer, a personal health insurance plan, or even out-of-pocket. Having this added health insurance provides a safety net during times of illness, injury, or accident. Not to mention, it saves you money when you need new glasses or a root canal.
The perks of paying health insurance premiums
A nice perk is that by paying for this additional health insurance, you might be able to claim the premium payments on your taxes. In some cases, you can also claim your medical expenses. But remember medical expenses are different than your premiums.
When it comes to taxes, things don’t have to be confusing, so let’s break down what we’re talking about here.
Employer paid premiums:
- Definition: Workplace benefits provided by your employer. This benefit is included in your total compensation and paid by the employer.
- Tax deductible: No for the employee. Yes for the employer.
- Example: Jane works for Canada Life and receives health and dental benefits as part of her total compensation. Because Jane doesn’t pay for her benefits directly, she cannot claim the premiums on her annual income tax filing. However, Canada Life can claim its employees’ premiums and they become tax deductible.
Employee paid premiums:
- Definition: Health insurance benefits purchased and paid for by the employee. This could be because their employer doesn’t provide such benefits or that person has additional insurance on top of what is included in their workplace benefits (part of compensation).
- Tax deductible: Yes
- Example: Jimmy works for Acme company which doesn’t provide benefits as part of their employees’ total compensation. Jimmy has a few prescriptions he needs filled regularly and thinks it’s best to have health insurance coverage. Jimmy purchases a health plan from Canada Life, for which he pays a monthly premium. Because Jimmy pays for his health coverage himself, he is eligible to claim his premiums on his annual income filing.
Freelance/gig workers:
- Definition: Health insurance benefits paid by you, the freelancer/gig worker.
- Tax deductible: Yes
- Example: Johnny works part time at a diner to support his dream to be a fulltime magician. He gets hired for lots of corporate events, parties, and private parties and celebrations. Because the diner doesn’t provide health benefits to its employees, and his magician gigs are individual contracts, he purchased a health insurance plan from Canada Life. Because Johnny pays a monthly premium for his health coverage, he can claim those payments on his annual income tax filing.
Private health insurance premiums:
- Definition: Health insurance coverage provided by a third party. This is usually coverage purchased through an advisor and is separate from what your workplace benefits cover.
- Tax deductible: Yes
- Example: Gina works at Canada Life, receiving the same workplace benefits as Jane - as part of her total compensation. Gina has 2 kids who need braces and another kid who has some physiotherapy needs. Because Gina can see the amount of health and dental coverage her family needs, she purchases additional coverage through her advisor from a private company. Because Gina pays a monthly premium for her private coverage, she can claim those payments on her annual income tax filing.
Self-employed health insurance premiums:
- Definition: As someone who is self-employed and the sole proprietor of their business, your premiums may be deducted from your business, provided your business is your primary income source.
- Tax deductible: Yes
- Example: Betty is a fulltime graphic designer who works for herself. She takes on multiple contracts at once and was able to make the leap to fulltime self-employment a few years ago. Because she doesn’t have a workplace in the traditional sense and is her own employer, Betty decided to work with her financial advisor to purchase health and dental coverage from Canada Life for herself. Betty pays the insurance premiums through her business, and therefore can claim those payments on her annual income tax filing.
Business owner:
- Definition: A small-medium sized business owner who pays life insurance premiums on behalf of their employees.
- Tax deductible: Yes
- Example: Brooke is a speech pathologist who opened her own practice last year. Business has been booming, so she decides she needs to hire an assistant. She also wants to provide her employee (and hopefully future employees) health and dental benefits, so she purchases a plan from Canada Life. Because Brooke, the business owner, pays for the plan on behalf of her employee, she can deduct the cost as a business expense and claim the premiums on her annual income tax filing.