IRS 1094-1095 reporting: Avoiding compliance potholes is essential

Under the Affordable Care Act, employers with 50 or more full-time workers are required to offer health insurance to those employees. Furthermore, these companies must document their ACA compliance with the Internal Revenue Service, requiring an even greater commitment toward employer accountability while limiting corporate liability.
Starting in fiscal year 2015, employers with 50 or more full-time employees must submit Forms 1094-C and 1095-C with the IRS. These companies are referred to as “applicable large employers” (ALEs), and the forms list the health care coverage offered to the applicable full-time employees. Companies have until March 31, 2016 to file Forms 1094 and 1095 electronically to come into compliance, while firms submitting paper forms have a February 29, 2016 deadline.

For employers, this is an added layer of complexity with an even greater level of responsibility. Moreover, these changing rules can put an even greater strain on an already overtaxed staff.

Let’s look at it through an automotive analogy: You’re told the route you’re required to take. You know fast you can go, and how much gas you are going to need to get you there. However, it’s dark out, the road is full of potholes, and no one has given you any headlights to see where you’re going. In short, your route is precarious at best, and if anything happens to the car you’re driving because of the adverse conditions, you will be held liable.

For many companies facing this dilemma, the best course of action is seeking support from a qualified expert who can provide guidance through all the government’s reporting complexities. Turning to a compliance expert who understands the issues is the best course of action.

Otherwise, it could be a long road ahead filled with liability and accountability.

If you would like more information on reporting issues and how you can manage them to benefit your company, call at 847.307.6100 and speak to a Plexus professional, or visit us on the web at plexusgroupe.com.