SHOP Marketplace basics for employers

You may qualify for the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit that could be worth up to 50% of the costs you pay for your employees' premiums (35% for non-profit employers).

See if you qualify for savings

Enrolling in a Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) plan is generally the only way for a small business or non-profit to claim the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit. To qualify for the tax credit, all of the following must apply:

You have fewer than 25 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
Your average employee salary is about $56,000 per year or less
You pay at least 50% of your full-time employees' premium costs
You offer SHOP coverage to all of your full-time employees. (You don't have to offer it to dependents or employees working fewer than 30 hours per week to qualify for the tax credit.)

IMPORTANT

The IRS has released guidance on qualifying for the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit that may apply to small employers in areas with no available SHOP plans. Learn more.

Higher benefits for smaller businesses

The tax credit is highest for companies with fewer than 10 employees who are paid an average of $27,000 or less. The smaller the business, the bigger the credit.

Questions?

See all SHOP tools, calculators, fact sheets, how-to guides, videos, and other resources for employers.
Contact the SHOP Call Center at 1-800-706-7893 (TTY: 1-888-201-6445).
The Internal Revenue Service has more information about the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit.

What’s an example of how the tax credit works?

Here's one scenario: Number of employees: 10 Wages: $250,000 total, or $25,000 per employee Employer contribution to employee premiums: $70,000 Tax credit amount: $35,000 (50% of employer's contribution)

Do I have to buy SHOP insurance to claim the tax credit?

Generally, yes. Buying SHOP insurance is generally the only way to qualify for the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit.

What if I have seasonal workers?

Generally, seasonal workers aren't included in the full-time employee and wage calculation unless they work for you more than 120 days during the tax year. Learn more about seasonal workers from the IRS.