News

Tax time is here and with it comes the perfect opportunity for employers to inform workers about a little-known tax credit they may be eligible to claim that could put $1,000 to $2,000 back in their pockets. The Saver’s Credit or Retirement Savings Contributions Credit is offered to low- to moderate-income workers who put money […]

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) reporting deadlines are rapidly approaching, presenting a major administrative burden for employers who face penalties for failing to report in a timely and accurate manner. While there has been significant discussion of employer roles and responsibilities, employees have been largely left out of the equation. However, many employees will […]

When we flipped our calendars to the New Year, many of us took time to review our priorities and reset our to-do lists. This year, many employers will have a new challenge added to their lists: ACA reporting. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) added new reporting rules to the federal tax code that will affect […]

Currently delayed for two years, the Affordable Care Act’s excise tax is on track for full repeal — but not without upcoming challenges, Members of Congress and their staffs said Wednesday on Capitol Hill in Washington. Now set to take effect in 2020, the so-called Cadillac tax would force employers to pay a 40% tax […]

The fate of the so-called Cadillac tax notwithstanding, new strategies are emerging to help employers cut healthcare costs. The Affordable Care Act’s excise tax places a 40% levy on high-cost employer-sponsored health plans ($10,200 for individuals, $27,000 for families). Originally set to go into effect in 2018, it recently was pushed back until 2020 and […]

As employers prepare to distribute Forms 1095 to employees by the newly extended IRS deadline of March 31, they should brace for increased questions from employees about the new forms. In Notice 2016-4, issued by the IRS on Dec. 28, the agency extended the deadlines for both providing individuals with the reporting forms required as part […]

Insurance regulators in Oregon and Alaska now think Moda Health Plan Inc. has a shot at raising the cash it needs to keep its health insurance operations stable for the rest of the year. The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services and the Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development have agreed to orders that let Moda […]

Commentary: When it comes to benefits management, the most important number for any small to mid-sized business to know is how many full-time employees plus full-time equivalent employees it averaged in calendar year 2014. This solitary, unassuming number is the primary determining factor regarding: 1. If the employer is subject to Affordable Care Act employer […]

In a unanimous vote, the House passed legislation today that would rescind the Affordable Care Act’s expanded definition of a small employer. The bipartisan bill has had strong support from employers and benefit industry insiders who feared the expansion could lead to premium increases and jeopardize the ability for small and mid-sized businesses to compete […]

A House Democrat has proposed two alternatives to H.R. 1624, a bill that would let each state decide whether to set the maximum size of a small group at 50 employees or 100 employees. Rep. Fran Pallone, D-N.J, says he would like to see Congress adopt a bill postponing the effective date of the small-group […]