Can self-employed people deduct health insurance premiums?

Self-employed people who are not eligible for an employer plan through their own job or a spouse's can generally deduct premiums for themselves, a spouse and dependants. The deduction cannot exceed your net self-employment income, and it sits above the line, so you get it whether or not you itemise.

Where it gets interesting is the interaction with a premium tax credit. Claiming both on the same premium requires a circular calculation that tax software handles and hand arithmetic rarely does. Get the plan choice right first, then let your accountant run the final figures.

An estimate for planning, not a quote. Medicare and the Marketplace set your real figures.