When tax time rolls around, you may be wondering if yourhealth insurance premiumsare tax-deductible.

But for people who buy their own health insurance, its a little more complicated.

Either way, self-employed individuals can only deduct the amount they actually pay in premiums.

Accountant working with US tax forms

simpson33 / Getty Images

Thats because theyre most likely already being paid with pre-tax dollars.

For 2025, these limits increase to $4,300 and $8,550, respectively.

The premiums and contributions are probably subtracted from your paycheck on a pre-tax basis.

you’ve got the option to ask your employer to confirm this.

But to deduct medical expenses, you have to itemize your deductions.

This is just an overview of how the IRS treats health insurance premiums.

If you have questions about your specific situation, speak with a tax advisor.

With the higher standard deduction amounts, its much less likely that people itemize medical expenses.

Consult with a tax advisor for guidance.

Summary

Health insurance premiums can generally be paid with pre-tax dollars.

If in doubt, be sure to check with a tax advisor.

Kaiser Family Foundation.Health insurance coverage of the total population.

Kaiser Family Foundation.2023 Employer health benefits survey.

EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants.Considerations for Domestic Partner Coverage in Employee Benefits.

September 30, 2022.

Internal Revenue Service.Form 7206, Self-Employed Health Insurance Deduction(new as of 2023).

Internal Revenue Service.About Publication 535, Business Expenses.

Internal Revenue Service.Revenue Procedure 2023-23.

Internal Revenue Service.Revenue Procedure 2024-25.

Congressional Research Service.Temporary individual tax provisions (tax extenders).

Internal Revenue Service.Publication 505 (2024), Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax; What’s New for 2024.