Under the heading of “better late than never,” the IRS has recognized that “some employers, insurers, and other providers of minimum essential [i.e., health] coverage need additional time to adapt and implement systems and procedures to gather, analyze, and report” the information required on Forms 1094-B, 1095-B, 1094-C, and 1095-C for the 2015 calendar year. It has delayed the due dates for providing the required forms to both individuals and the IRS as follows:
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The due date for providing forms to individuals on 1095-B and 1095-C is extended from February 1, 2016 to March 31, 2016.
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The due date for filing with the IRS is extended from:
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February 29, 2016 to May 31, 2016 if not filing electronically (for employers who filed fewer than 250 W-2s in the prior year), and
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March 31, 2016 to June 30, 2016 if filing electronically.
Employers or other coverage providers who do not comply with the extended due dates are subject to penalties, which may be abated for reasonable cause based on facts and circumstances.
Because of the delay, individuals who file tax returns based on other information from their employers about their offers of coverage for purpose of determining whether they are eligible for a premium tax credit for health insurance marketplace coverage will not be required to file amended tax returns once they receive their Forms 1095-C or any corrected 1095-C.
