Oct 3, 2018 | Legislative Updates
The IRS recently released Notice 2018-71, which provides detailed guidance in question and answer (Q&A) format on the employer tax credit for paid family and medical leave. The tax credit is contained in Section 45S of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) and applies for 2018 and 2019 tax years.
The IRS’ Q&As address the following topics:
- Eligible employers;
- Family and medical leave;
- Minimum paid leave requirements; and
- Calculating and claiming the credit.
This IRS guidance applies to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 2017, and before Jan. 1, 2020. The IRS also intends to issue proposed regulations on the tax credit in the future. (more…)
Jun 26, 2018 | Legislative Updates
The ACA imposes a fee on health insurance issuers and plan sponsors of self-insured health plans to help fund the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. The fee, called the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee, is calculated based on the average number of lives covered under the policy or plan. (more…)
May 17, 2018 | Legislative Updates
On May 10, 2018, the IRS released Revenue Procedure 2018-30 to announce the inflation-adjusted limits for health savings accounts (HSAs) and high deductible health plans (HDHPs) for 2019. These limits include:
- The maximum HSA contribution limit;
- The minimum deductible amount for HDHPs; and
- The maximum out-of-pocket expense limit for HDHPs.
These limits vary based on whether an individual has self-only or family coverage under an HDHP.
The IRS limits for HSA contributions will increase for 2019. The HDHP maximum out-of-pocket limits will also increase for 2019. The HSA contribution limits will increase effective Jan. 1, 2019, while the HDHP limits will increase effective for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2019. (more…)
Apr 30, 2018 | Legislative Updates
On April 26, 2018, the IRS announced that, for 2018, taxpayers with family high deductible health plan (HDHP) coverage may treat $6,900 as the annual contribution limit to their health savings accounts (HSAs).
Earlier this year, a tax law change for 2018 reduced the HSA contribution limit for individuals with family HDHP coverage from $6,900 to $6,850. After this change was announced, the IRS received complaints that the $50 reduction would be difficult and costly to implement.
The IRS has now decided to allow taxpayers with family HDHP coverage to use the original $6,900 limit for HSA contributions for 2018, without facing excess contribution penalties. (more…)
Mar 6, 2018 | Legislative Updates
[SEE UPDATE] On March 5, 2018, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released Revenue Procedure 2018-18 to announce changes to certain tax limits for 2018, including a reduced contribution limit for health savings accounts (HSAs).
The new tax law enacted late last year—the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act—changed the consumer price index for making annual adjustments to the HSA limits. Based on this new index, the IRS lowered the HSA contribution limit for individuals with family coverage under a high deductible health plan (HDHP) from $6,900 to $6,850. This change is effective for the 2018 calendar year. The IRS’ other HSA and HDHP limits for 2018 remain the same. (more…)
Jan 23, 2018 | Legislative Updates
On Jan. 22, 2018, President Donald Trump signed into law a short-term continuing spending resolution to end the government shutdown and continue funding through Feb. 8, 2018. The continuing resolution impacts three taxes and fees under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Specifically, the continuing resolution:
- Delays implementation of the Cadillac tax on high-cost group health coverage until 2022;
- Provides an additional one-year moratorium on the health insurance providers fee for 2019 (although the fee continues to apply for 2018); and
- Extends the moratorium on the medical device excise tax for an additional two years, through 2019.
(more…)
