The IRS has released final Forms 1094 and 1095, which will be used to enforce the ACA employer mandate penalties and the individual mandate and tax credit eligibility rules. These forms must first be filed by employers and insurers in early 2016, for the 2015 calendar year. Filing is optional in 2015 for the 2014 calendar year. While we do not recommend voluntary filing, we do recommend employers review the forms and the instructions so they are aware of what filing in 2016 will involve because they need to be gathering the information to report now.
IRS Q&As at http://www.irs.gov/Affordable-Care-Act/Employers/Questions-and-Answers-about-Employer-Information-Reporting-on-Form-1094-C-and-Form-1095-C provide further guidance on reporting employer coverage on forms 1094 and 1095, including:
* Basics of Employer Reporting
* Reporting Offers of Coverage and other Enrollment Information
* Reporting for Governmental Units
* Reporting Offers of COBRA Coverage
And More IRS Q&As on Reporting of Offers of Health Insurance Coverage by Employers (Section 6056), which is first required in early 2016 with respect to calendar year 2015 are available at http://www.irs.gov/Affordable-Care-Act/Employers/Questions-and-Answers-on-Reporting-of-Offers-of-Health-Insurance-Coverage-by-Employers-Section-6056
Topics addressed:
* Basics of Employer Reporting
* Who is Required to Report
* Methods of Reporting
* How and When to Report the Required Information