HRB 121 - 1) Finalized 2016 ACA Reporting Forms 1094 and 1095 Series; 2) Section 1557 Nondiscrimination Notice Requirement; 3) Transitional Reinsurance Fee Reminder; and 4) IRS Warns of Fake ACA Tax Bills (Article)

HRB 121 - 1) Finalized 2016 ACA Reporting Forms 1094 and 1095 Series; 2) Section 1557 Nondiscrimination Notice Requirement; 3) Transitional Reinsurance Fee Reminder; and 4) IRS Warns of Fake ACA Tax Bills (Article)

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1) Finalized 2016 ACA Reporting Forms 1094 and 1095 Series; 2)Section 1557 Nondiscrimination Notice Requirement; 3) Transitional ReinsuranceFee Reminder; and 4) IRS Warns of Fake ACA Tax Bills

Released October 20, 2016 I Download as a PDF

 

Finalized2016 ACA Reporting Forms 1094 and 1095 Series

TheInternal Revenue Service (IRS) issued final 2016 forms for the annual reportingthat will be due in 2017 by employers subject to the Affordable Care Act’sshared responsibility requirements, as well as by plans providing minimumessential coverage (MEC).  These formsare used to satisfy the IRC Section 6055 and 6056 reporting requirements. TheForm 1094-B and 1095 B-series is used for reporting MEC.  The Form 1094-C and 1095-C series is used forreporting employer provided coverage by an applicable large employer (“ALE”) subjectto the ACA’s shared responsibility requirement who employ 50 or more full-timeemployees.Employersize is determined as of December 31st in the year prior to thereporting year.  For 2016 reportingpurposes, employer size is determined as of December 31, 2015.  Below are links to the particular forms andinstructions: 

 

HealthInsurance Coverage Reporting by Insurers and Sponsors of Self-funded Plans (IRC§ 6055)

  • Instructions for 2016 Forms 1094-B and 1095-B (PDF or HTML)

 

EmployerHealth Insurance Reporting Requirement (IRC § 6056)

  • Instructions for 2016 Forms 1094-C and 1095-C (PDF or HTML)

  • Form 1094-C, Transmittal of Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage Information Returns

  • Form 1095-C, Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage

 

Deadlinesfor Filing and Distributing Forms 1094 and 1095

Thereporting and disclosure obligations remain substantially the same as lastyear.  The 2016 Forms 1094-B and 1095-B, andthe 2016 Forms 1094-C and 1095-C reports must be submitted to the IRS no laterthan February 28, 2017; or by March 31, 2017 if filing electronically.  Individuals listed in the 2016 Forms 1094 and1095 must be furnished copy of the relevant Form 1095 by January 31, 2017.

 

There is no indication at this time that thesefiling dates will be extended.  The goodfaith standard for compliance available for the 2015 reporting year would notnecessarily be available for the 2016 reporting year.  However, a reasonable cause situation whichmay render an ALE incapable of meeting the reporting deadlines might be consideredby the IRS.



Generally,these forms are similar to the 2015 forms. Narrowing our focus on the C seriesof the forms, following are a few clarifications and modifications:









  • Several forms of transitional relief were available in 2015.  To the extent the relief is no longer available, references to this relief have been removed.

  • Definition of full-time employee.  For purposes of determining full-time status, the instructions clarify that a monthly method or look back method are the only two ways to determine full-time status.

  • Reporting ALE members.  With regard to the Form 1094-C, if an ALE member belongs to an aggregated ALE group and checks “Yes” on Line 21 of the Form 1094-C, then it must also complete Part IV of the Form.  This section of the form requires the names and EINs of other ALE members of the aggregated ALE group who were members at any time during the calendar year.  The instructions clarify that the reporting ALE member need not include itself in Part IV.

  • Part II, Employee Offer of Coverage - Form 1095-C, Lines 14-16









In Lines 14 to 16, theemployer reports on offers of coverage, affordability and any applicable safeharbor codes. Of particular note, certain codes are used in Line 14 to specifythe type of coverage offered and in Line 16 to specify any safe harbor codesthat may apply, such as the employee is no longer employed or not a full-timeemployee.









  • Reporting offers of spousal coverage.  The 2016 instructions provide for two new codes 1J and 1K which address conditional offers of spousal coverage. A conditional offer is defined as an offer of coverage that is subject to one or more reasonable, objective conditions such as offering coverage to an employee’s spouse only when the spouse is ineligible for Medicare or group health coverage sponsored by another employer.  Code 1J would be used to indicate MEC providing minimum value offered to employee and conditionally offered to spouse but not offered to dependents.  Code 1K indicates MEC providing minimum value was offered to employee, MEC was offered to dependents, and MEC conditionally offered to the spouse.

  • The instructions clarify that Code 1G is used to report individuals offered coverage who are not full-time.  This code can only be used if, in fact, the individual was not full-time for the entire year.

  • COBRA continuation coverage. The method for reflecting offers of coverage for an individual entitled to COBRA due to termination of employment differ from reporting COBRA due to a reduction In hours.  If COBRA is offered to a former employee or his/her spouse and dependents due to termination of employment, code 1H (no offer of coverage) would be entered on Line 14 for any month that COBRA applies; and code 2A (employee not employed during the month) would be entered on Line 16, without regard to whether the employee and his/her spouse and dependents actually enroll in COBRA coverage.  In the event of a reduction in hours, an offer of COBRA made to the employee and his/her spouse and dependents would be reported on line 14 as an offer of coverage, but only for the individuals who were offered COBRA coverage.  If the employee’s dependent initially declines coverage and thus, not entitled to COBRA, the reporting would reflect that there was no offer of coverage.  This would preserve the dependent’s potential eligibility for premium tax credits and potentially reduce the ALE’s risk of penalty for failure to offer dependent coverage.

Example. During an open enrollment period, ABCCompany offers MEC that meets the minimum value standard to Tom and his spouseand dependents.  Tom elects to enroll inemployee-only coverage starting January 1. On June 1, Tom experiences areduction in hours that results in loss of eligibility for coverage under theplan. As of June 1, ABC Company terminates Tom’s existing coverage and offersCOBRA coverage but does not extend the offer to his spouse and dependents. ABCCompany would enter code 1E (MEC providing minimum value offered to employeeand at least MEC offered to dependent(s) and spouse) on line 14 for monthsJanuary to May, and then enter code 1B (MEC providing minimum value offered toemployee only) on line 14 for months June to December.


 

  • In Line 16, an ALE would enter a Section 4980H safe harbor or other relief codes. There are instances when more than one code may apply to the same employee in the same month.  The general rule of thumb is, if MEC is offered, then code 2C would apply.  However, this code would not apply where there is a multi-employer plan or when individuals are offered COBRA.  Further, the instructions clarify that a safe harbor code used to identify one of the three affordability standards, i.e., W-2 (code 2F), federal poverty level (code 2G) or rate of pay level (code 2H) should not be entered on line 16 for any month that the ALE did not offer MEC to at least 95% of its full-time employees and their dependents.

  • Coverage in more than one type of comprehensive health coverage.  In Part III of the Form 1095-C, the instructions follow prior guidance, as well as proposed regulations issued on August 15, 2016, relating to reporting of more than one type of coverage.  If an employer sponsors a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) in conjunction with a comprehensive self-funded plan, the information provided in Part III of the Form 1095-C need only reflect the comprehensive health plan. If an individual is covered by an insured plan of the employer and an HRA, the employer would not complete Part III. If the individual is covered by HRA and comprehensive coverage of another employer, for example, a spouse’s employer plan, then Part III reporting would be required to reflect coverage under the HRA.

  • Soliciting Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TIN).  For purposes of the MEC reporting required by IRC Section 6055 and reported on the Form 1095–B and Form 1095–C, Part III, the above-mentioned proposed regulations provide some clarifications to assist reporting entities in obtaining taxpayer identification numbers (TIN) needed to complete the filings. These rules also apply to self-insured employers who are required to file Part III of the Form 1095–C.

  • Missing TINs.  An initial request for an individual’s TIN may be solicited at the time the insurer or employer receives application for new coverage, or when adding an individual to existing coverage.  If the TIN is not received, then a second solicitation may be made within 75 days, and if necessary, a third solicitation be made by December 31st of the year following the initial solicitation.  Where a reporting entity is unable to obtain the TIN, the birth date of a covered individual could be used. 















  • Incorrect TINs.  In the event of an incorrect TIN, the existing rules under the tax code apply. These rules require three attempts to obtain TINs or Social Security Numbers for all covered lives:

    • The first occurs when the individual becomes covered by the plan. 

    • The second occurs by December 31st of the first year of coverage; however, if the coverage begins in December, the second solicitation can occur by January 31st of the next year. 

    • The third and final solicitation must occur by the next December 31st (or January 31st if applicable).







  • And finally, the proposed rules address instances of soliciting TINs of covered individuals.  A solicitation for a TIN requested from the primary insured would be treated as a solicitation of all individuals covered under the primary insured’s plan. However, in the event where individuals are added to the coverage, then a separate individualized solicitation must be made to each individual when they are added to the plan.

 

Information reporting penalties.  The instructions include updated penalties for failure to provide the information return or provide correct payee statement.  

 

  • The penalty for failure to file a correct information return is $260 for each return for which the failure occurs, with the total penalty cap of $3,193,000 for a calendar year.

  • The penalty for failure to provide a correct payee statement is $260 for each statement for which the failure occurs, with the total penalty cap of $3,193,000 for a calendar year.

  • Special rules apply that increase the per-statement and total penalties if there is intentional disregard of the requirement to file the returns and furnish the required statements. 







  • Additional information relating to ALE obligations including the ACA Information Returns (AIR) system, can be found on the IRS’s dedicated webpage, ACA Information Center for Applicable Large Employers (ALEs).  Also see:

  •  

    Section 1557 Nondiscrimination Notice Requirement

    As a follow-up to our prior discussion relating to the ACA’s Section 1557 nondiscrimination rules (see Final HHS Rules Address Nondiscrimination in Health Plans, CBIZ Health Reform Bulletin 118, 6/1/16), affected covered entities are required to provide certain notification to individuals beginning October 16, 2016.

     

    As background, Section 1557 of the ACA provides for open access to health coverage, programs and activities by all individuals. In other words, individuals cannot be discriminated against or prohibited from participating in health related programs or denied health coverage on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.  Generally, these regulations apply to insurers and third party administrators receiving federal funding, as well as self-funded employers receiving federal funding such as hospitals and nursing homes. These rules do not apply to employers sponsoring self-funded plans as long as the employer does not receive federal funding, which may include Medicare Part D retiree drug subsidies.

     

    A covered entity is required to provide initial and on-going notification to beneficiaries, enrollees, applicants, and members of the public.  The purpose of the notification is to inform them that the covered entity does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in its health programs and activities.  In addition, the notice must provide information relating to the availability of: 

    1. Appropriate auxiliary aids and services, including qualified interpreters for individuals with disabilities and information in alternate formats, free of charge and in a timely manner, together with an explanation of how to obtain the aids and services;

    2. Language assistance services, including translated documents and oral interpretation, free of charge and in a timely manner, when such services are necessary to provide meaningful access to individuals with limited English proficiency;

    3. Grievance procedures together with an explanation of how to file a grievance, as well as how to file a discrimination complaint with the HHS Office of Civil Rights.

     

    The posting must be placed in a conspicuous location of the covered entity.  Notifications and taglines can be included in communications routinely provided to beneficiaries, enrollees, applicants, and members of the public, as well as made available through the entity’s website.

     

    The HHS Office of Civil Rights has prepared a model notice, a model nondiscrimination statement, and a model tagline, all available in 64 different languages.  These can be found on OCR’s translated resources webpage.  OCR has also provided a table displaying the top 15 languages spoken by individuals with limited English proficiency in each state and the U. S. territories.  The table, together with FAQs, can be accessed from OCR’s dedicated web page.

     

    Additional information about Section 1557, including FAQs can be obtained from the HHS’ Office of Civil Rights website.

Transitional Reinsurance Fee Reminder

Thiswill be the last year for collection of the transitional reinsurance fee. Asbackground, the Affordable Care Act imposes the transitional reinsurance fee,the goal of which is to help stabilize premiums in the individual market due toenrollment of higher risk individuals in the marketplace. All insurers and plansponsors of self-funded plans providing major medical coverage are required tocontribute to this reinsurance fund over a three year period from 2014 through2016.

 

Thecontribution rate for the 2016 benefit year is $27 per covered life.Contributions can be made in one payment of $27 per covered life (combinedcollection); or, made in two-part payment of $21.60 per covered life (firstcollection) and $5.40 per covered life (second collection).

 

Theannual enrollment count (based on first 9 months of the calendar year) must besubmitted by November 15, 2016 on the “ACATransitional Reinsurance Program Annual Enrollment Contributions SubmissionForm” available via www.pay.gov. The reporting form willauto-calculate contribution amounts and allow payments to be made in one or twoinstallments.

 

Deadlines

  • If making one payment of the fee, the 2016 ACA Transitional Reinsurance Program Annual Enrollment Contributions Submission Form must be submitted by November 15, 2016; the full fee must be paid by January 17, 2017.

  • If opting to make two payments, the Form must be filed by November 15, 2016; the first part of the two payments must be paid by January 17, 2017; the second payment is due by November 15, 2017.

 

TheCenters for Medicare and Medicaid Services released a 2016 Reinsurance ContributionsInformation Guidethat provides additional information. 

 

IRS Warns of Fake ACA Tax Bills

TheIRS is alerting taxpayers to be on guard against fake emails purporting tocontain an IRS tax bill relating to the Affordable Care Act. Generally, thescam involves an email which contains a fraudulent version of CP2000 noticesfor tax year 2015 as an attachment. Additional information to assist in identifying these scams is availableon the IRS website.

 

Aboutthe Author:Karen R. McLeese is Vice President of Employee Benefit Regulatory Affairs forCBIZ Benefits & Insurance Services, Inc., a division of CBIZ, Inc. Sheserves as in-house counsel, with particular emphasis on monitoring andinterpreting state and federal employee benefits law. Ms. McLeese is based inthe CBIZ Kansas City office.

 

Theinformation contained herein is not intended to be legal, accounting, or otherprofessional advice, nor are these comments directed to specific situations.The information contained herein is provided as general guidance and may beaffected by changes in law or regulation. The information contained herein isnot intended to replace or substitute for accounting or other professionaladvice. Attorneys or tax advisors must be consulted for assistance in specificsituations. This information is provided as-is, with no warranties of any kind.CBIZ shall not be liable for any damages whatsoever in connection with its useand assumes no obligation to inform the reader of any changes in laws or otherfactors that could affect the information contained herein.




















HRB 121 - 1) Finalized 2016 ACA Reporting Forms 1094 and 1095 Series; 2) Section 1557 Nondiscrimination Notice Requirement; 3) Transitional Reinsurance Fee Reminder; and 4) IRS Warns of Fake ACA Tax Bills (Article)HRB 121 contains updates on the following information relevant to employers: Finalized Forms 1094/1095 and the changes from 2015 to 2016 Deadlines for furnishing the Forms 1095/1094 for reporting year 2016 Coverage in more than one comprehensive health plan (proposed regulations) Soliciting Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TIN) (proposed regulations) Information reporting penalties Section 1557 Nondiscrimination Notice Requirement Transitional Reinsurance Fee Reminder IRS Warns of Fake Tax Bills  ...2016-10-20T19:50:00-05:00

HRB 121 contains updates on the following information relevant to employers:

  • Finalized Forms 1094/1095 and the changes from 2015 to 2016
    • Deadlines for furnishing the Forms 1095/1094 for reporting year 2016
    • Coverage in more than one comprehensive health plan (proposed regulations)
    • Soliciting Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TIN) (proposed regulations)
    • Information reporting penalties
  • Section 1557 Nondiscrimination Notice Requirement
  • Transitional Reinsurance Fee Reminder
  • IRS Warns of Fake Tax Bills