Vision Payroll

This week’s question comes from Joel, an HR director. We just implemented a Health Savings Account plan at our company. We know the amounts employees can contribute for 2009. What are the 2010 Health Savings Account inflation adjustments? Answer: the Internal Revenue Service recently released Rev. Proc. 2009-29 which contained the 2010 inflation adjusted amounts for Health Savings Accounts or HSAs.

The annual limitation on deductions will increase from $3,000 in 2009 to $3,050 in 2010 for those with self-only coverage. Those with family coverage will have the deduction limitation increase from $5,950 to $6,150.

The definition of a high deductible health plan will change from one with a minimum deductible of $1,150 in 2009 to $1,200 in 2010 for self-only coverage and from $2,300 to $2,400 for family coverage.

The annual out-of-pocket limitation for 2010 will also increase from $5,800 in 2009 to $5,950 for those with self-only coverage; the out-of-pocket limitation for family coverage will increase from $11,600 to $11,900.

Contact Vision Payroll if you have any questions on Rev. Proc. 2009-29 and the changes to HSAs for 2010.

In Rev. Proc. 2008-25, the IRS provided a safe harbor method of accounting for accrual-basis taxpayers to use to account for FICA and FUTA taxes. It also established procedures for taxpayers to use to change their method of accounting to this safe harbor method. Under Rev. Proc. 2008-25, taxpayers who use the safe harbor method may deduct FUTA and the employer’s portion of FICA in the same year in which the all-events test has been met for the related compensation and the IRS will not challenge such use. This is true even if the amount of the tax liability is not fixed at the time of accrual of the compensation because, for example, the taxpayer does not know if a particular employee will have reached an applicable payroll tax ceiling when the liability is paid. Examples are provided in Rev. Proc. 2008-25 to further clarify the IRS position. Because the change in accounting method requires the filing of Form 3115, taxpayers are advised to consult their tax advisors for further information.