By now most have probably heard that 831(b) captive insurers have, for the second year in a row, ended up on the latest IRS annual Dirty Dozen list of “tax scams”, even with recent legislative changes passed at the end of last year in the tax extenders bill by Congress.

The changes to the program, that included raising the maximum tax-deductible annual premium contribution to $2.2 million and imposing new limits on how much in 831(b) written premiums can come from any one policyholder, take effect in 2017; one reason, I presume, 831(b)s remain on the list. Through the end of 2016, parents of 831(b) captives can still make up to $1.2 million in tax-deductible premium contributions to the captives each year, and such captives’ underwriting income is exempt from federal taxes.

However, in their news release, the IRS said premiums paid by 831(b) captive owners may be double or triple the premiums the owners were paying for the same coverage purchased from commercial insurers, or the owners may pay premiums to the captives for “esoteric, implausible risks.” The motive, the IRS said, for such underwriting practices: maximum policyholders-owners’ tax deductions to reduce their taxable incomes.

With a declaration that “underwriting and actuarial substantiation for the insurance premiums are either absent or illusory” it seems pretty clear that the IRS will not be mollified by changes in the law alone!! Sometimes there’s just no pleasing people.

On a happier note, THANK YOU to all who showed up at our Road Show in New York City this week. With over 100 attendees and a great panel including Bob Cerutti of Tyco, Michaele DeHart from Syracuse University and Mike Serricchio from Marsh, it was a super event and another example of VCIA’s efforts to “preach the gospel of captives!”