25 Sep IRS unveils health care page for large employers

Original post by Jeff Stimpson, eba.benefitnews.com

The new ACA Information Center for Applicable Large Employers page on IRS.gov features information and resources for employers of all sizes on how the health care law may affect them if they fit the definition of an applicable large employer.

The page includes such sections as trends and resources for ALEs; how to determine if you are an ALE; and outreach materials including FAQs and links to forms, among other materials.

In 2016, ALEs must file an annual information return and provide a statement to each full-time employee reporting whether the company offered health insurance, and if so, what insurance it offered.

RELATED: How to Avoid ACA Filing Penalties

Companies that will file 250 or more information returns for 2015 must e-file the returns through the ACA Information Reports system. Draft Publication 5165, “Guide for Electronically Filing Affordable Care Act Information Returns,” contains information on the communication procedures, transmission formats, business rules and validation procedures for returns that companies must transmit in 2016.

Although most employers will not be affected, companies should determine if they are an ALE, which comprises an average of at least 50 full-time employees (including full-time equivalents) during 2014. A company with fewer than 50 full-time employees may be an ALE if it shares a common ownership with other employers.