On May 20, 2024, the IRS issued private letter ruling (“PLR”) 202434006 (the “2024 PLR”) that permits employees to allocate an employer contribution among various benefits outside of a cafeteria plan. The IRS has previously...more
On June 17, 2024, the IRS issued Fact Sheet 2024-22, which includes nine FAQs about educational assistance programs. The Fact Sheet also links to a sample program document for employers....more
On April 16, 2024, the IRS issued Fact Sheet 2024-13, which includes FAQs addressing the tax treatment of employer-provided work-life referral services. The FAQs generally provide that the value of these services can be...more
On November 9, 2023, the IRS issued Rev. Proc. 2023-34, which announces the 2024 indexed limits for certain health and welfare benefits. This is in addition to the limits that the IRS announced on May 16, 2023 in Rev. Proc....more
On October 18, the IRS issued Notice 2023-70, which increased the PCORI fee from $3 per covered life to $3.22 per covered life for policy and plan years that end on or after October 1, 2023 and before October 1, 2024....more
On July 7, the Departments of Labor, Treasury, and Health and Human Services published a proposed rule (“Proposed Rule”) regarding, among other things, the requirements for fixed and hospital indemnity insurance to be...more
On June 23, 2023, the IRS issued Notice 2023-37 (the “2023 Notice”) regarding COVID-19-related coverage for HSA-compatible high-deductible health plans (“HDHPs”) and preventive care for HDHP purposes in light of the district...more
On June 8, 2023, the IRS released Chief Counsel Advice 202323006 (the “CCA”) addressing the tax treatment of wellness indemnity payments made by employer-funded fixed indemnity insurance policies. The CCA generally provides...more
On April 28, 2023, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Office of Chief Counsel issued a Chief Counsel Advice (“CCA”) explaining the requirements for claim substantiation for health and dependent care flexible spending...more
On February 23, 2023, the IRS published final regulations (the “Final Rule”) that materially expand which reporting entities must file electronically rather than on paper. These requirements apply to a number of tax returns,...more
A recent IRS letter ruling provides helpful clarification on the interaction of in-service distributions to active employees (Code section 401(a)(36)) and the requirement that Code section 401(h) accounts provide only retiree...more
On December 12, 2022, the Department of Treasury (“Treasury”) and the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) released final regulations that provide reporting relief for ACA reporting— specifically, Forms 1095-B and 1095-C...more
For many years now, IRS and Treasury have jointly developed a list of areas in which they intend to release guidance – such as regulations, revenue rulings, notices and other published official authority – during the coming...more
The IRS recently announced that substantially all of the key retirement plan and health and welfare plan limits will increase next year – some significantly due to higher inflation. Notice 2022-55 (Oct. 21, 2022); Rev. Proc....more
On Tuesday, October 11, Treasury and IRS issued final regulations amending the regulations under the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) regarding the affordability determination for an employee’s family members of employer-sponsored...more
Over the years, many plan sponsors have accumulated surplus assets in their pension and welfare benefit programs for various reasons. Typically, surplus assets have been generated in these mature programs through some...more
On March 28, the Biden Administration submitted its Fiscal Year 2023 budget proposals reflecting its budget and tax policy priorities, which could surface when Congress resumes work on budget reconciliation. While it is...more
Upcoming deadline alert! Plan sponsors should prepare for these upcoming February 2022 deadlines to ensure federal compliance and avoid penalties....more
On November 22, 2021, the Department of Treasury and the IRS issued proposed regulations generally intended to provide Form 1095-B and 1095-C reporting relief. Under the statutory language of the ACA, reporting entities are...more
On October 6, 2021, the IRS released Notice 2021-58 (the “Notice”), which provides yet another round of guidance on the application of extended deadlines for COBRA elections and payments due to COVID-19. This guidance expands...more
On July 26, 2021, the IRS released Notice 2021-46 (the “Notice”), which provides new guidance on the 100% COBRA premium subsidies (the “Subsidies”) and the related tax credit under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (March...more
On May 18, 2021, the IRS released its highly anticipated guidance on the 100% COBRA premium subsidies (the “Subsidy”) and the related tax credit under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (March 11, 2021) (“ARPA”) in Notice...more
On February 18, 2021, the IRS released Notice 2021-15 (the “Notice”) interpreting section 214 of the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020 (the “Act”), enacted as Division EE of the Consolidated...more
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) provided employers valuable relief from the economic stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, by creating access to loans under the Paycheck Protection...more
On July 8, 2020, the IRS released Notice 2020-54 (the “Notice”), which mandates 2020 W-2 reporting of qualified sick and family leave wages paid to employees under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the Act). ...more