Health Care Reform Update—IRS Postpones Form 1095-B Deadline

The IRS extended the due date to March 31, 2016 for mailing Form 1095-B to individuals for 2015 tax returns. As part of Section 6055 Reporting under the Affordable Care Act, Form 1095-B verifies the “individual mandate” for minimum essential health coverage.

The General Board will provide these forms to participants before the March 31 IRS deadline. In order to leverage the additional time to better validate this new process, the earliest we expect participants to receive Forms 1095-B is late February or early March. We will inform plan sponsors when the forms are mailed to participants.

Along with the two-month deadline extension for employers for 2015 tax reporting, the IRS also provided relief for individuals—the IRS stated that individuals who rely on information from their coverage providers regarding minimum essential coverage will not be required to amend tax returns if they receive a Form 1095-B later that has conflicting information.

Form 1095-B does not need to be filed with an individual’s tax return, but the IRS recommends that the taxpayer keep a copy with his or her tax records.

Section 6055 reporting for minimum essential coverage was described in detail in the October 8 HealthFlex Express. Additional information for participants is available from the IRS here.

Please direct any questions to healthcarereform@gbophb.org. Check the health care reform web page for future updates.

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