SHOP / SMALL

BUSINESS TAX CREDIT

What is SHOP?
The Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) helps small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Idaho provide health insurance to their employees. If you are eligible, you don’t have to wait for an Open Enrollment period. Businesses can start offering SHOP coverage to their employees any time of year.

To apply for SHOP and offer your employee medical and/or dental insurance, your business or non-profit organization must meet four requirements:

  1. Have 1-50 full-time equivalent employees
  2. Offer coverage to all full-time employees. You can offer coverage to part-time employees if you choose
  3. Enroll at least 70% of the employees you offer insurance to
  4. Have your office or employee work site located within Idaho

For additional information and details, click here.

Small Business Health Care Tax Credit
You may qualify for the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit if:

  • 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 your full-time employees

To find out if you may qualify, use the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit Estimator here

For more information about the Small Business Tax Credit, visit the IRS website or speak with a tax professional.

How to Apply and Enroll

Click here to download the Shop Application.

  1. Work with a Your Health Idaho-certified agent or broker to complete and submit your application to SHOP@yourhealthidaho.org with “SHOP request” in the subject line

OR mail the completed form to:

Your Health Idaho
P.O. Box 50143
Boise ID, 83705

  1. Your Health Idaho will assign you a SHOP number
  2. Shop and enroll in a plan directly with a participating carrier
  3. Use your SHOP ID and information from your insurance plan to claim the small business health care tax credit by filing form 8941 with the IRS

Note: Business owners with no employees can enroll individuals and dependants in a health plan and apply for a tax credit through Your Health Idaho. Learn more about coverage options for self-employed individuals here.