---
title: "Tax Cuts & Jobs Act, (2017) Part 5 - the “Cadillac Tax”: What It Means for Your Wages & Coverage"
description: An overview of the Cadillac Tax and how it would increase income and payroll taxes for employees rather than big businesses and insurance companies
image: https://blog.proliant.com/hubfs/cadillac.jpg
---

[![Proliant - Print Logo - No Strokes](https://blog.proliant.com/hubfs/01%20-%20Website/Logos/Proliant%20-%20Print%20Logo%20-%20No%20Strokes.svg "Proliant - Print Logo - No Strokes")](https://www.proliant.com)

[Request Meeting](https://www.proliant.com/request-meeting)

** **

**Payroll**

**Talent**

**Workforce Management**

**Benefits**

**Platform**

**Integrations**

**ProLiant Mobile**

Your employees can stay connected.  
**Anytime, anywhere**.

![proliant-mobile-mockup-mega-menu](https://blog.proliant.com/hubfs/01%20-%20Website/4%20-%20Main%20Pages/Home/proliant-mobile-mockup-mega-menu.png "proliant-mobile-mockup-mega-menu")

[![Proliant - Print Logo - No Strokes](https://blog.proliant.com/hubfs/01%20-%20Website/Logos/Proliant%20-%20Print%20Logo%20-%20No%20Strokes.svg "Proliant - Print Logo - No Strokes")](https://www.proliant.com)

[Request Meeting](https://www.proliant.com/request-meeting)

** **

**Payroll**

**Talent**

**Workforce Management**

**Benefits**

**Platform**

**Integrations**

**ProLiant Mobile**

Your employees can stay connected.  
**Anytime, anywhere**.

![proliant-mobile-mockup-mega-menu](https://blog.proliant.com/hubfs/01%20-%20Website/4%20-%20Main%20Pages/Home/proliant-mobile-mockup-mega-menu.png "proliant-mobile-mockup-mega-menu")

Search

**Menu**

** **

[Request Meeting](https://www.proliant.com/request-meeting)

![](https://blog.proliant.com/hubfs/cadillac.jpg)

[Tax Services](https://blog.proliant.com/topic/tax-services) |

 2 min read

# Tax Cuts & Jobs Act, (2017) Part 5 - the “Cadillac Tax”: What It Means for Your Wages & Coverage

[![ProLiant](https://blog.proliant.com/hubfs/Logos/Color%20Proliant/P%20logo%20Glassdoor.jpg)](https://blog.proliant.com/author/proliant)

 Written by [ProLiant](https://blog.proliant.com/author/proliant)

 Feb 14, 2018 4:29:00 PM

Part 5 of our series on Taxes moves us away from the new Tax Cuts & Jobs Act and towards another hot topic in the tax world, the "Cadillac Tax". Defined by taxpolicycenter.org, the “Cadillac Tax” is, “Employer-sponsored health benefits whose value exceeds legally specified thresholds will be subject to a 40 percent excise tax, starting in 2020. The so-called “Cadillac tax” will be levied on insurance companies, but the burden will likely fall on workers. The tax will effectively limit the tax preference for employer-sponsored health insurance.” This tax will equate to 40% of the value of health benefits exceeding thresholds projected to be $10,800 for single coverage and $29,050 for family coverage in 2020 and adjusted for growth in the consumer price index in the following years. The Cadillac tax will apply not only to employers’ and employees’ contributions to health insurance premiums, but also to health saving account, health reimbursement arrangement, and medical flexible spending account contributions. So what does that all mean?

Ultimately it will come down to the workers bearing the brunt of this tax. Even though the tax will be levied on the insurance companies, workers will likely receive lower wages due to employers combating this. Some employers are reportedly planning on “avoiding” the tax by switching to less expensive health plans. Doing so would inherently mean higher wages for employees, but it also means said employees now have higher income and payroll taxes. The Joint Committee on Taxation and the Congressional Budget Office have actually predicted that 80% of the revenue generated by the Cadillac tax will be due to the higher income and payroll taxes instead of the excise taxes collected from the insurance companies.

In addition to the undesirable increase in taxes for employees, the Cadillac tax also essentially limits the Employer-Sponsored health Insurance (ESI) exclusion. The ESI, as it is now, is worth more to higher-bracket taxpayers. However, people belonging to that group are the ones who are more likely to purchase insurance anyway. The ESI exclusions’ “open-ended nature” has also been reported to contribute to faster health care cost growth. This is an ongoing study with analysts suggesting that the ESI exclusion be limited by “including the value of health benefits beyond a certain threshold in taxable income.” The Cadillac tax itself does not promote a direct limit, but it does effectively dismiss the ESI exclusion.

No matter if an employer accepts or tries to avoid the excise tax (with the methods listed above) health benefits that go beyond the thresholds put in place before the Cadillac tax would be subject to income and payroll taxes.

What are your company’s plans for the Cadillac tax? How will it affect your wages/insurance? If you would like to research further you can click [HERE](https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R44147.pdf) & [HERE](https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucejapsen/2018/01/23/big-lobbies-and-employers-once-again-win-delay-for-obamacares-cadillac-tax/#737fd0b43ed4). You can also reach out to us directly using the form below to discuss the Cadillac tax with us here at Proliant.

 

# Bibliography

The Tax Policy Center. (n.d.). *The Tax Policy Center's Briefing Book.* Retrieved from Tax Policy Center: http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/briefing-book/what-cadillac-tax

 

## A Great Offer, Just a Click Away

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit

![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/273774/hubfs/mp/themes/Act-Theme/images/act-sample-opa1.jpg?width=900&name=act-sample-opa1.jpg)

### About ProLiant

*ProLiant puts the human in human resources. We provide a fully integrated, cloud-based HCM solution that simplifies payroll and HR processes. The company serves small to large clients in multiple industries in all 50 states and is committed to providing the highest quality customer service in the industry.*

### Subscribe to Blog

- [Recent](https://blog.proliant.com/the-cadillac-tax-what-it-means-for-your-wages-coverage#recent)
- [Topics](https://blog.proliant.com/the-cadillac-tax-what-it-means-for-your-wages-coverage#topics)
- [Archive](https://blog.proliant.com/the-cadillac-tax-what-it-means-for-your-wages-coverage#archive)

- [Applicant Tracking & Recruitment (15)](https://blog.proliant.com/topic/applicant-tracking-recruitment)
- [Automation & Workflows (5)](https://blog.proliant.com/topic/automation-workflows)
- [Benefits Administration (14)](https://blog.proliant.com/topic/benefits-administration)
- [Compliance (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/topic/compliance)
- [Earned Wage Access (12)](https://blog.proliant.com/topic/earned-wage-access)
- [Employee Onboarding (9)](https://blog.proliant.com/topic/employee-onboarding)
- [HR (32)](https://blog.proliant.com/topic/hr)
- [Industry News (11)](https://blog.proliant.com/topic/industry-news)
- [Integrations (5)](https://blog.proliant.com/topic/integrations)
- [Learning Management System (4)](https://blog.proliant.com/topic/learning-management-system)
- [Payroll (30)](https://blog.proliant.com/topic/payroll)
- [Performance Management (11)](https://blog.proliant.com/topic/performance-management)
- [Recruitment & Retention (12)](https://blog.proliant.com/topic/recruitment-retention)
- [Security (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/topic/security)
- [Tax Services (8)](https://blog.proliant.com/topic/tax-services)
- [Time & Labor Management (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/topic/time-labor-management)
- [Toast (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/topic/toast)

[More...](https://blog.proliant.com/the-cadillac-tax-what-it-means-for-your-wages-coverage#)

- [June 2026 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2026/06)
- [April 2026 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2026/04)
- [February 2026 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2026/02)
- [December 2025 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2025/12)
- [October 2025 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2025/10)
- [July 2025 (2)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2025/07)
- [June 2025 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2025/06)
- [May 2025 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2025/05)
- [April 2025 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2025/04)
- [March 2025 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2025/03)
- [February 2025 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2025/02)
- [January 2025 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2025/01)
- [November 2024 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2024/11)
- [October 2024 (4)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2024/10)
- [September 2024 (2)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2024/09)
- [August 2024 (4)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2024/08)
- [June 2024 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2024/06)
- [May 2024 (2)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2024/05)
- [April 2024 (3)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2024/04)
- [March 2024 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2024/03)
- [February 2024 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2024/02)
- [January 2024 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2024/01)
- [December 2023 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2023/12)
- [November 2023 (2)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2023/11)
- [October 2023 (8)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2023/10)
- [September 2023 (5)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2023/09)
- [August 2023 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2023/08)
- [July 2023 (3)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2023/07)
- [June 2023 (6)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2023/06)
- [May 2023 (4)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2023/05)
- [April 2023 (2)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2023/04)
- [March 2023 (2)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2023/03)
- [February 2023 (3)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2023/02)
- [January 2023 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2023/01)
- [December 2022 (3)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2022/12)
- [November 2022 (2)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2022/11)
- [October 2022 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2022/10)
- [September 2022 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2022/09)
- [August 2022 (5)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2022/08)
- [July 2022 (2)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2022/07)
- [June 2022 (2)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2022/06)
- [May 2022 (6)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2022/05)
- [April 2022 (5)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2022/04)
- [March 2022 (4)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2022/03)
- [February 2022 (3)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2022/02)
- [January 2022 (3)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2022/01)
- [December 2021 (3)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2021/12)
- [November 2021 (2)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2021/11)
- [October 2021 (2)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2021/10)
- [September 2021 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2021/09)
- [August 2021 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2021/08)
- [July 2021 (3)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2021/07)
- [October 2020 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2020/10)
- [September 2020 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2020/09)
- [August 2020 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2020/08)
- [June 2020 (2)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2020/06)
- [January 2020 (3)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2020/01)
- [December 2019 (4)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2019/12)
- [November 2019 (3)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2019/11)
- [October 2019 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2019/10)
- [September 2019 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2019/09)
- [July 2019 (2)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2019/07)
- [June 2019 (4)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2019/06)
- [May 2019 (11)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2019/05)
- [April 2019 (3)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2019/04)
- [January 2019 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2019/01)
- [December 2018 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2018/12)
- [November 2018 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2018/11)
- [August 2018 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2018/08)
- [February 2018 (2)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2018/02)
- [January 2018 (3)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2018/01)
- [November 2017 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2017/11)
- [October 2017 (2)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2017/10)
- [August 2017 (2)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2017/08)
- [May 2017 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2017/05)
- [March 2017 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2017/03)
- [January 2017 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2017/01)
- [August 2016 (2)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2016/08)
- [April 2016 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2016/04)
- [March 2016 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2016/03)
- [February 2016 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2016/02)
- [October 2015 (2)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2015/10)
- [July 2015 (1)](https://blog.proliant.com/archive/2015/07)

[More...](https://blog.proliant.com/the-cadillac-tax-what-it-means-for-your-wages-coverage#)

Previous Story

[← Tax Cuts & Jobs Act, (2017) Part 4 - New Benefits for Hotels, Employees, and Travelers](https://blog.proliant.com/a-new-study-shows-tax-reform-could-benefit-hotels-employees-and-travelers)

[** ](https://blog.proliant.com/)

Next Story

[Instant Financial Partners with Proliant →](https://blog.proliant.com/instant-financial-partners-with-proliant)

## You May Also Like

These Stories on Tax Services

[![](https://blog.proliant.com/hubfs/hire.jpg) ](https://blog.proliant.com/why-you-should-be-taking-advantage-of-wotc-in-your-business)

[Tax Services](https://blog.proliant.com/topic/tax-services)

### [Why You Should be Taking Advantage of WOTC in Your Business](https://blog.proliant.com/why-you-should-be-taking-advantage-of-wotc-in-your-business)

 Apr 13, 2022 4:27:00 PM |

 2 min read

[![](https://blog.proliant.com/hubfs/-%203%20-%20Blog%20Images/wotc-program.jpg) ](https://blog.proliant.com/wotc-program)

[Tax Services](https://blog.proliant.com/topic/tax-services)

### [WOTC Program: What You Need to Know](https://blog.proliant.com/wotc-program)

 Apr 6, 2022 9:09:00 AM |

 2 min read

[![](https://blog.proliant.com/hubfs/Business%20Tax%20Errors.jpg) ](https://blog.proliant.com/beware-of-these-tax-mistakes-small-businesses-make)

[Tax Services](https://blog.proliant.com/topic/tax-services)

### [Beware of these 8 Tax Mistakes Small Businesses Make](https://blog.proliant.com/beware-of-these-tax-mistakes-small-businesses-make)

 Mar 28, 2022 5:22:07 PM |

 5 min read

**

### Subscribe by Email

## No Comments Yet

Let us know what you think

[![proliant-white-logo-no-strokes](https://blog.proliant.com/hs-fs/hubfs/0%20-%20Proliant%20Branding/ProLiant%20Logos/proliant-white-logo-no-strokes.png?width=205&height=40&name=proliant-white-logo-no-strokes.png "proliant-white-logo-no-strokes")](https://www.proliant.com/)

**Headquarters**  
1100 Abernathy Road, Suite 850  
Atlanta, GA 30328  
877.896.9523

[Need Help?](https://www.proliant.com/contact-us)

[Login](https://www.readypayonline.com/Proliant/Login/Login.aspx?)

Copyright © 2022 Proliant, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

#### Solutions

[Applicant Tracking & Recruitment](https://www.proliant.com/applicant-tracking-recruitment)  
[Time & Labor Management](https://www.proliant.com/time-labor-management)  
[HR & Benefits Administration](https://www.proliant.com/hr-benefits-administration)  
[Employee Onboarding](https://www.proliant.com/onboarding)  
[Online Payroll Services](https://www.proliant.com/payroll-services)

[Payroll Tax Services](https://www.proliant.com/payroll-tax-services)  
[Performance Management](https://www.proliant.com/performance-management)  
[ReadyPay Today](https://www.proliant.com/readypaytoday)  
[Learning Management System](https://www.proliant.com/learning-management-system)

#### Who We Serve

[Your Industry](https://www.proliant.com/your-industry)  
[Integrations](https://www.proliant.com/integrations)  
[Partners](https://www.proliant.com/partners)

#### Why Proliant

[About Us](https://www.proliant.com/about-us)  
[News](https://blog.proliant.com/inthenews)  
[Careers](https://www.proliant.com/careers)  
[Automation](https://www.proliant.com/payroll-automation)  
[Workflows](https://www.proliant.com/hr-workflows)  
[Services](https://www.proliant.com/services)

#### Legal

[Legal](https://www.proliant.com/legal-notices)  
[Terms](https://www.proliant.com/terms-of-use)  
[Privacy](https://www.proliant.com/privacy-policy)  
[Form 1095-C Notice](https://www.proliant.com/employee-1095c-notice)

<https://www.instagram.com/proliant_inc><https://www.facebook.com/109137938238768><https://www.linkedin.com/company/146237>