Many people buy long-term care insurance early, so that they’ll have an easier time paying for the help they need when they need it. There are tax implications to buying long-term care insurance under certain conditions. Long-term care insurance premiums can have a positive impact on your taxes, says Smart Asset’s recent article entitled “Is Long-Term Care Insurance Tax Deductible?”
Long-term care insurance works like any other insurance product — you enter into a contract with an insurance company, pay premiums and then have access to funds to pay for long-term care later in life. The amount you pay in premiums and how long you pay depends on the individual contract you enter. Long-term care insurance can be used to pay for various services, including:
- Nursing homes
- Assisted living facilities
- Adult daycare centers; and
- Private care.
Long-term care insurance premiums are tax deductible. However, there are rules you’ll need to know. First, to be eligible for a tax deduction, the premiums you pay must exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. For self-employed people, the rules are a bit different. The premium can be taken as a tax deduction as long as they’ve made a net profit.
Second, there is a limit to how much you can deduct based on age. These are the limits for this year:
- 40 and under: $450
- 41-50: $850
- 51-60: $1,690
- 61-70: $4,510
- 71 and older: $5,640
In order to qualify for a tax deduction, the policy must meet certain regulations, so check with your insurance broker to see that your plan does.
Reference: Smart Asset (Oct. 20, 2022) “Is Long-Term Care Insurance Tax Deductible?”
Suggested Key Terms: Elder Law Attorney, Long-Term Care Insurance, Tax Planning