The tax credits available through the recently passed federal health care reform law make it more affordable for small employers to provide health coverage for their workers, but only if those employers know how to take advantage of the incentives.

There are steps small-business owners have to take to get the credits. The Internal Revenue Service outlines these steps in a newly launched section of the www.irs.gov website.

Designed to simplify the savings process, the website offers guidance on claiming tax credits along with answers to frequently asked questions and important information about the health care reform law for small businesses and tax-exempt organizations.

Now small-business owners can find out online if they are eligible for tax credits, what kind of savings they can earn, how the savings are calculated and what they are required to do to claim the credits. The website also provides breakdowns and scenarios depicting how the credit applies to employers in different circumstances.

The tax credits included in the health care reform law are an important part of improving our health care system and making health insurance more accessible to workers across the country. Small-business owners who take advantage of the IRS' online guidance can learn how to provide more affordable health coverage to their employees.

-- Herb Wolfson
Wittlin, Simon & Newman
wsnpc@msn.com

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