The IRS recently published the final versions of the 2020 reporting Forms 1094-B and 1095-B, 2020 reporting Forms 1094-C and 1095-C, and instructions for those forms. Forms 1094-B and 1095-B are used by insurers and small self-insured employers to report that they offered MEC. Forms 1094-C and 1095-Cs are used by ALEs to report that they offered minimum value, affordable coverage to their full-time employees. These forms are filed with the IRS, and copies of Forms 1095-B and 1095-C are also distributed to individuals.

This year’s forms feature a few new changes. The Plan Start Month section of Form 1095-C must now be completed. In addition, the penalty for the failure to file a correct information return increased to $280 per return (up from $270 for each incorrect return), and the penalty cap is raised to a total of $3.392 million for a calendar year, up from a cap of $3.339 million in 2019. Finally, the updated draft 1095-C form shows that the affordability safe harbor percentage threshold is 9.78% in 2020, down from the 9.86% threshold in 2019.

The 2020 forms and instructions also require employers to include information concerning Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs), if applicable. The instructions for Form 1094-C state that offers of ICHRA coverage count as offers of minimum essential coverage and both Forms 1095-B and 1095-C have new codes for information concerning ICHRAs offered to employees. Line 8 of Form 1095-B has a new Code G, which identifies ICHRAs as the type of employer-sponsored coverage. Form 1095-C’s Line 14 now has codes to identify the full-time or part-time status of the employee offered an ICHRA, whether the ICHRA was offered to a full-time employee’s spouse or dependents, whether the ICHRA is affordable, and whether the affordability was based upon where the full-time employee lives or works (the ZIP code of the full-time employee’s residence or place of work can be entered on Line 17, if the employee was offered an ICHRA). The employee’s contribution is recorded on Line 15.

As a reminder, the date by which employers must distribute Forms 1095-B or 1095-C to individuals has been extended. 2020 forms must now be distributed to individuals by March 2, 2021 (instead of January 31, 2021). Even though this extension is provided, employers are encouraged to furnish the 2020 statements as soon as they are able. Further, as in prior years, this notice does not extend the date by which employers must file Forms 1094-B/C and 1095-B/C with the IRS. That said, reporting entities must still file Forms 1094-B/C and 1095-B/C with the IRS by March 1, 2021 (as February 28, 2021, falls on a Sunday) if filing by paper, and March 31, 2021, if filing electronically. As noted above, the penalty for failure to comply is $280 per failure. This means that an employer who fails to file a completed form with the IRS and distribute a form to an employee/individual would be at risk for a $560 penalty.

Form 1094-B »
Form 1095-B »
Form 1094-C »
Form 1095-C »
Instructions for Forms 1094-B and 1095-B »
Instructions for Forms 1094-C and 1095-C »

Source: NFP BenefitsPartners