IRS Q&As Explain ARPA's COBRA Premium Subsidy Program

Summary

IRS Notices 2021-31 and 2021-46 explain how employers should administer the temporary COBRA subsidy created by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) (Pub. L. No. 117-2). For assistance-eligible individuals (AEIs), ARPA offers 100% subsidies of COBRA premiums for coverage periods from April 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021. Employers typically provide the COBRA premium assistance and seek reimbursement by claiming a tax credit on their quarterly employment taxes. For faster reimbursement, employers can reduce their employment tax deposits or request an advance of the credit.