By: Bob Shea
As we previously reported, Massachusetts enacted legislation last August giving smaller employers a tax credit of 25% of the costs associated with implementing wellness programs for their employees, up to $10,000 per year. The wellness tax credit incentive became effective on January 1, 2013. Under a proposed emergency regulation published this month by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the credit is available to Massachusetts-based employers with up to 500 employees (if the majority of employees work in Massachusetts).
The credit applies to wellness programs that promote “a healthy workplace environment and health workplace habits.” Under the proposed regulation, programs must be based on “a health-risk assessment of the workforce” and can include programs focused on dietary change, smoking cessation, accident and disease prevention, and other such programs intended to improve “participants’ physical and mental health and well-being.”
The proposed regulation contains details on the application and certification process, and other related matters. See the Wellness Tax Credit Incentive here.
For any questions on this topic, please feel free to contact Bob Shea.
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