Seyfarth Synopsis: The IRS has released final instructions for completing Forms 1094-C and 1095-C for 2021. Notably the instructions provide that the due date for furnishing Form 1095-C to individuals is extended to March 2, 2022. As expected, the instructions no longer offer penalty relief for good faith incorrect or incomplete filings and Form
Employee Health & Welfare Benefit Plan Limits
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently released 2022 cost-of-living adjustments applicable to dollar limitations for employer-sponsored health and welfare plans and retirement plans.
The changes in the 2022 cost-of-living adjustments for employer-sponsored health and welfare plans are summarized in the table below:
| Health and Welfare Plan Limits (Rev. Proc. 2021-45 and Rev. Proc. |
Looking to Save More? You’re in Luck!
Seyfarth Synopsis: The IRS just announced the 2022 annual limits that apply to tax-qualified plans. After minimal changes last year, there are several updates to the limits that employers should be aware of. Employers maintaining tax-qualified retirement plans will need to make sure their plans’ administrative procedures are adjusted accordingly.
In Notice 2021-61, the IRS
Do You Offer Employees Rebates To Lower Their Prescription Drug Costs… Just Make Sure You Don’t Count It Towards Their Minimum Annual Deductible
Seyfarth Synopsis: On June 25, 2021, the IRS released two information letters related to health savings accounts (“HSAs”) and high deductible health plans (“HDHPs”) addressing: (i) correction of excess employer contributions to an HSA, and (ii) how coupons, such as prescription drug coupons, apply toward the HDHP minimum annual deductible and what benefits can be
Hello… Goodbye… Hello Again: New IRS FAQs Discuss Rehires and Bona Fide Retirements In Light of COVID-Related Labor Shortages
Seyfarth Synopsis: The IRS recently sought to reassure employers that they will not jeopardize their retirement plan’s tax qualified status if they permit employees who have a bona fide separation from service to take a distribution from their retirement plan, even if they are rehired shortly thereafter by the same employer. The reassurance comes in
Never Fear: More COBRA Subsidy Guidance Is Here
On July 26, 2021, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) issued Notice 2021-46, providing additional guidance on the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”) and premium assistance and tax credit provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”). As described in our Legal Update , ARPA requires employers to cover
How to Sign Your Life Away… Electronically
Seyfarth Synopsis: Electronic signatures may be the wave of the future for the IRS, and are more necessary now as a result of the remote work environment. The IRS issued some recent guidance, allowing two authorization forms (Forms 2848 and 8821) to be signed electronically. While this guidance is a welcome step in the direction
Happy New Year! The IRS Grants Permission to Celebrate New Year’s Eve
Seyfarth Synopsis: The IRS has announced that the due date for contributions to a single-employer defined benefit pension plan due in 2020, previously extended to January 1, 2021 by the CARES Act, will be considered timely if made no later than January 4, 2021.
Under the funding rules for qualified defined benefit pension plans, plan
Whistleblowing Hits Employee Benefits World
Seyfarth Synopsis: Recently a “whistleblower” leaked that the IRS had internally announced an upcoming modification to the very popular voluntary correction program (“VCP”) that would have been a significant disincentive for plan sponsors to use the VCP to report and correct plan disqualification errors. The leak went viral and sent benefits counsel and other retirement
You Can Save More in Your 401(k) in 2020
By Sarah Touzalin and Richard G. Schwartz
Seyfarth Synopsis: Many of the limitations that apply to tax-qualified plans, including 401(k) plans, are subject to cost-of-living increases. The IRS just announced the 2020 limits. 401(k) plan contribution limits are increasing, so check your elections starting in 2020. Employers maintaining tax-qualified retirement plans will need to make