April 2009 IMPORTANT MESSAGE REGARDING COBRA PLANS AND YOUR FEDERAL EMPLOYER TAX DEPOSITS                   As part of the new economic stimulus plan employers are required to send employees who lost health insurance between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009 a notice informing them that their premium coverage can be reduced. This notice must be sent out by April 18, 2008.   The stimulus bill reduces the premium for COBRA for eligible individuals to 35 percent of full COBRA premiums for up to nine months.   In addition, people who were involuntary terminated on or after September 1, 2008 who did not elect COBRA when it was first offered or who did not elect COBRA will have a second opportunity.     Employer Responsibility: Initial Payment   Employers maintaining   health plans subject to COBRA will bear the initial cost of the subsidy and then obtain a reimbursement through a reduction in their Quarterly Federal Tax Return. (Form 941)         Please communicate with your payroll specialist if you have any former employees who are on or now eligible for COBRA.