Happy New Year from ExpressACAForms!

And if you haven’t heard, it’s a New Year’s Miracle: the IRS has announced they are extending the deadlines for the 2015 Affordable Care Act filings from their original due dates.

Now, before we give you the new dates, we have to put on our “mom voice” and tell you that just because this means you have more time to file, it doesn’t mean things couldn’t go wrong at the last minute. So don’t procrastinate. And since this extension only applies to the 2015 filing year, it might even be beneficial to get in the habit of filing by the original deadlines so that you’re prepared for future years.

Okay, so now that the Voice of Reason has spoken, it’s time for those new deadlines:

• Recipient copies, which were initially due by February 1, 2016, now have to be mailed out by March 31, 2016.
• The paper filing deadline for IRS copies has been moved from February 29, 2016 to May 31, 2016.
• The e-filing deadline for IRS copies have been moved from March 31, 2016 to June 30, 2016.

So the choice is yours: will you celebrate tonight, then get a jump start on these forms next week? Or will you wait until summer to file your tax documents?

But maybe that’s a question for 2016. Either way, the ExpressACAForms support team will be here to help throughout the entire filing season (and the rest of the year) -- beginning January 4th. That’s right: we’re out of the office today and tomorrow for New Year’s, but we’ll be back to answer phone calls bright and early Monday morning. In the meantime, we’ll be offering limited email support at support@expressirsforms.com.

Have a Happy New Year everyone!

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The Adventures of Ace: To the Future!

While the ExpressACAForms office took a break this past weekend, the sounds of tinkering and the three Back to the Future movies could be heard coming from the apartment of Ace, the E-Filing Superhero.

And by “apartment,” I of course mean the “ultra-secret hideout” that he could “totally afford without a roommate,” he just “likes having someone around.”

Oh, what’s this? It appears as if Ace has broken his absence and is making another of his public service announcements:

The crowd is stunned silent, but it’s hard to tell whether it’s because of the possibility of a time machine in their presence or because they’re trying to figure out if Ace thinks the Doc is a real person. Either way, Ace goes forward with his speech, too excited to notice any confused looks.

“Yes, citizens!” He says while removing the sheet and revealing his surprisingly impressive time machine. “In an effort to bring you the most accurate information about the Affordable Care Act forms before anyone else, I am going into the future -- 2016, as a matter of fact -- to find out when these forms are due!”

No one was able to grab him in time to let him know that the IRS has already revealed the dates that the 2015 ACA forms are due. But no matter: his entire excursion took roughly one minute, for all the same reasons you’ve heard in other time travel stories.

A little shaken, Ace resumes his address to the public: “Wow. Early 2016 does NOT look good for Donald Trump. Anyway, I have the dates you taxpayers need! And they’ve been extended! But to make sure everything else about 2016 is a surprise, that’s all I’ll tell you about.

“All filers of Forms 1095-B and 1095-C must supply copies of these forms to their recipients by March 31, 2016. (PS, ExpressACAForms will mail those for you if you don’t feel like stuffing all those envelopes.) Paper filers must submit their 1095 forms to the IRS by May 31, 2016, and e-filers will need to have those in by 11:59 PM (your time zone), June 30, 2016.”

Get in touch with one of Ace’s sidekicks here at ExpressACAForms. We’re available by phone (704-839-2270) and live chat (through our site) Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST. We also offer 24/7 email support at support@expressirsforms.com.

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Happy Holidays from Ace and ExpressACAForms!

Happy holidays from ExpressACAForms! However you celebrate this season, we hope your time is filled with comfort and joy in the company of friends and family.

We’ve been over a lot in preparation for the upcoming ACA filing, but for the next few days, we invite you to take a break from all that. Mainly because we are! Ace and his sidekicks will be taking today (12/24) and tomorrow (12/25) off for the holidays, so phone and chat support will be unavailable until Monday (12/28) at 9 a.m. EST.

If you need us in the meantime, email support (support@expressirsforms.com) will be available in case of ACA-related emergencies (but if the stockings were hung a little too close to the fire, you should probably call 911).

Have a great holiday weekend, everyone! We’ll see you next week!

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2015 Filing Is Almost Here!

Since we’re sure you’ve got other things on your mind this week, we’ll keep this post short, sweet, and to the point: filing for the 2015 tax year is almost upon us, and ExpressACAForms is here to help! After you read this blog, feel free to take a break from thinking about your taxes for this week; you’ve earned it. But, for now, take our crash course on preparing yourself for the new Affordable Care Act forms due this coming tax season.

Who?
Anyone who provided at least the minimum essential coverage of health insurance to individuals during any month of the year 2015. This means insurance issuers and carriers, most employers, and designated government program sponsors.

What?
Form 1094-B or 1094-C and Form 1095-B or 1095-C. Insurance issuers and carriers, small employers, and government program sponsors will file Forms 1094-B and 1095-B to report information on the coverage they provided each recipient. Applicable Large Employers (ALEs with 50 or more full-time employees) file Forms 1094-C and 1095-C to report their health care coverage details.

When?
You’ll need to get the copies of your forms to your recipients by February 1, 2016. Normally, these forms are due January 31, but in 2016 that day falls on a Sunday. If you paper file your forms with the IRS, you’ll need to send them in by February 29, 2016; and if you choose to e-file, your forms need to be transmitted to the IRS by March 31, 2016.

Where?
At ExpressACAForms.com, of course! It’s the easiest and quickest way to file your ACA forms. And if you need any help on the way, you’ve got access to the best customer service in the biz: we’re available by phone (704-839-2270) and live chat Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, and offer 24/7 email support at support@expressirsforms.com.

So go celebrate the holidays; we’ll see you when it’s time to file!

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Ace and the 1095s

You heard correctly, taxpayers: Ace is back from his time at ExpressIRSForms to continue helping the “citizens” of ExpressACAForms understand the new Affordable Care Act forms and the e-filing process.

Worried over what mayhem Confusion’s minions may have wrought in his absence, Ace immediately begins canvassing the city. Much to his surprise (he was gone for a whole day, after all), things seem to be carrying on peacefully. The taxpayers aren’t pulling their hair out or banging their heads against desks over IRS docum--

Flying into the office building he heard the cries coming from, Ace finds a taxpayer yelling at his computer, unknowingly under the influence of Confusion. At the sight of Ace, Confusion disappears in a wisp of smoke, leaving only the disgruntled employee and the slight scent of bewilderment. Choosing to focus on the task at hand, Ace addresses the employee instead of chasing after the twisting trail of Confusion.

Ace listens as the employee tells him that he knows they’re a large company and so he thinks they have to file Form 1095-C for each employee but he doesn’t know what he needs to report. “A good question indeed!” Ace exclaims before he launches into one of his world-famous explanations:

“Well that’s not so bad. And as the Human Resources guy around here, I already have most all of that information! I don’t know why I got so confused,” the employee admits to Ace.

“Twasn’t your fault, taxpayer,” Ace explains to the employee. “Confusion can make fools of us all! And if you need any more help, don’t yell out your window: simply contact one of my sidekicks at ExpressACAForms. They’ll help you file these forms in a snap!”

And with that, Ace flies off to wherever else it is that he is needed.

And if you need us to help you with your e-filing, give us a call, live chat us, or send us an email. We’re available by phone and live chat Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST and by email 24/7 at support@expressirsforms.com!

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What You Need to Know for Form 1095

With 2015 winding to an end, it may feel like the time you have to prepare yourself for the new Affordable Care Act forms is rapidly swirling down the drain. And it kind of is, but that’s okay! That’s why ExpressACAForms is here to help, with an explanation! After all, a great way to prepare yourself for the task at hand is with as much information as you can get.

So, exactly what information do you need before you dive head first into these forms?

Form 1095-B, Health Coverage
Form 1095-B is filed by every person who provides at least the minimum essential coverage (MEC) of health insurance to an individual during a calendar year. To complete this form, you will need the following information:

• the complete name, EIN, address, telephone number, and contact information of the filer (that’s you),
• the total number of Forms 1095-B that you’re filing,
• the complete name, SSN or date of birth, and address of each recipient,
• what type of coverage was offered to your recipients broken down by month, and
• if you’re reporting Employer Sponsored Coverage or coverage provided by another issuer, you’ll need their name, EIN, address, and contact information.

Form 1095-C, Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage
Form 1095-C is completed by Applicable Large Employers (ALEs), or employers with 50 or more full-time employees in a calendar year. These ALEs are required under the ACA to offer MEC of health insurance to their full-time employees. A representative of an ALE will complete this form with the following information:

• the name, SSN, and complete address of the employee,
• the name, EIN, complete address, and contact number of the employer,
• the Plan Start Month for the specific employee,
• the Offer of Coverage code applicable to this employee,
• the amount of the Employee Share of Lowest Cost Monthly Premium per month,
• the names and SSNs or birth dates for all covered individuals (spouse, dependents, etc.) and the months in which they were covered,
• and, if applicable, a Section 4980H Safe Harbor code.

Form 1094, Transmittal Form
In case you’ve heard of a Form 1094 and are wondering why we haven’t mentioned that yet in this post, it’s because that form is only used when paper filing. Form 1094-B or 1094-C essentially acts as a cover sheet and summary of the included 1095 forms. When you e-file, this form isn’t necessary.

So file with ExpressACAForms: you’ll be filing a few less forms! We’ve also got outstanding customer support waiting to help you through these new forms. Give us a call at (704) 829-2270 or send us a live chat Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST. Need help outside of those hours? We also offer 24/7 email support through support@expressirsforms.com.

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Dare to Care: Yoga to Boost the Immune System

It’s been a while since our last Dare to Care post, so let’s start off with a small refresher for why the fun and exciting ACA tax info you’re used to seeing is decidedly absent from this blog post:

While filing more with the IRS than you already do might not be the obvious answer to keeping you healthy (seriously, does the IRS not know what stress levels can do?), the reason the ACA is now law relates directly to your healthcare coverage and, ultimately, your health.

There’s still some debate over whether having health insurance will help you become physically healthier, but researchers do seem to agree that having it is better overall for you mentally. Additionally, with coverage, you’re more likely to take advantage of preventative care, like cholesterol screenings or mammograms. So getting covered might not automatically make you an Olympic athlete, but it definitely comes with some health benefits.

That said, we’ve long been in the primetime of cold and flu season. Sniffles and coughs are more abundant than reminders to wash your hands and get your flu shot, and your immune system may be feeling it. When the temperatures outside dip, the first line of immune defenses in your nose become significantly weaker. Combine this with more people trying to share the warmth of enclosed spaces, and you’ve got situations ripe for getting sick.

So, while ‘tis the season to feel sickly, you don’t have to be a part of the low-immunity crowd. Simple things like laughing, a spoonful of honey, or just a good night’s sleep can help boost your immune system. And if you really want to kick your immune system into overdrive, consider adding the following (easy!) yoga poses to your daily routine!

The following poses encourage relaxation, reduce stress, and facilitate circulation throughout your whole body, the three most effective things yoga can do to support your immune system:

Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose (Viparita Karani)
I used to have a yoga teacher who would say, “If it’s a virus, go to the doctor for an antibiotic. Anything else, legs up the wall!” In other words, get in the habit of making this pose your go-to cure because a majority of the time, it’ll clear you right up. There isn’t much direction to this pose, simply lie on the floor and raise your legs to create a 90 degree angle with your body. To get the most out of it for your immune system, use the wall for support and hold your pose for 10-15 minutes while keeping your breath steady. If your hamstrings are tight, you can bend your knees and bring your seat away from the wall to allow your body to relax into the pose.

Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
Feeling overwhelmed? Try downward dog. Feeling stressed and sickly? Downward dog. Feeling sleepy? Have a headache? You see where we’re going with this. To begin, lie on your stomach, place your palms near your ears, and point your toes downward so that your heels are facing the ceiling. Exhale, using your back and stomach muscles to straighten your arms, legs, and lift your hips. Typically, this pose is held for five long breaths, but you can hold it for as long as is comfortable to you. Keep your knees slightly bent if your hamstrings are tight. Rest your forehead on a block or other prop for a feeling of calm, restoration, and grounded energy. Bonus perk: this pose drains congested sinuses, helping you to breathe a lot easier.

Fish Pose (Matsyasana)
Fish pose is unique in that it opens up your entire upper body, the heart, and the lungs. It also stimulates the thymus, which plays a significant role in the endocrine and lymphatic systems and, ultimately, your immune system and long-term health. To come into this pose, lie flat on the floor with your legs straight and arms at either side. Raise your hips, one side at a time, and place your hands under each hip. Exhale as you bend your elbows and push your upper body off the floor, raising your chest, and tilting your head backwards. Hold this pose for five counts and inhale as you rest your back on the floor.

Child’s Pose (Balasana)
Just by inwardly folding your body and placing your forehead to the ground in child’s pose, you send a signal to your brain to slow down, immediately calming the mind and body. This pose also normalizes circulation throughout the body, which allows new blood to flow and cleanse your body of toxins and pollutants. Begin by kneeling with your hands on your knees. If you have knee or lower back issues, consider placing a blanket under your knees or spreading them farther apart while keeping your toes together. Slowly exhale and slide your hands down and forward until your torso is flat against your legs (or between them) and your arms are completely straight. If you can, place your forehead against the ground and roll your head back and forth for a soothing sinus massage.

If you enjoyed this wellness-focused blog, stay tuned for more Dare to Care installments, or check out the blogs of our other programs, communEATi, Healing Radius, and Healing Radius Pro, for more weekly health and wellness info! In the meantime, another ACA and tax-filled blog will be back Tuesday; and the ExpressACAForms support team will be here (as always) Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, to answer your phone calls (704-839-2270) or live chats. We’re even here over the weekend for 24/7 email support at support@expressirsforms.com, so feel free to contact us at anytime for help or assistance e-filing.

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More Time to File: ACA Forms and Extensions

The fact that the time to file the new IRS Affordable Care Act forms is right around the corner might be stressing you out. And that first sentence might be an understatement if you know this means a lot more paperwork for you and your business.

(Although we do use the term “paperwork” loosely because there’s no paper with an e-filing service like us!)

Since we care about your stress levels here at ExpressACAForms, we first want to take a moment to remind you to take a deep breath in, 1...2...3...4, and out, 1...2...3...4. And if that’s not enough to slow down your heart rate, here’s some reassurance that filing your ACA forms doesn’t have to be as stressful as you think:

The IRS is Giving First-Time Filers a Break
And the first-timers in this case are all of the filers! For 2015 filings (which are coming up in January), the IRS won’t impose penalties for incorrect or incomplete information. BUT you will only be given relief from these penalties if you can prove that you made good faith efforts to comply with the reporting requirements.

You Can Apply for an Extension
Like with other information returns, you can apply for an extension of time to file ACA Forms 1094 and 1095. Whether you’re filing Form B or C, you can get an automatic 30-day extension of time to file by completing Form 8809 before your original due date for the forms (for paper filers, that’s February 29, 2016 and for e-filers, that’s March 31, 2016). You won’t even need to give a reason why you’re filing late. Added bonus: you can e-file Form 8809 through our sister program ExpressIRSForms for only $2.99! Now, keep in mind that even if your extension is approved, you still have to furnish your 1095 forms to your recipients by January 31, but…

You Can Apply for an Extension for That Too
So you can’t get an extension for providing forms to your recipients with Form 8809, but you can get one if you request for one before January 31. To get this extension, you’ll need to send a letter to the following address:

Internal Revenue Service, Information Returns Branch 

Attn: Extension of Time Coordinator

240 Murall Drive

Mail Stop 4360

Kearneysville, WV 25430

In your letter, you’ll need to include your name, Tax ID Number (TIN), address, the type of return (in this case, 1095-B or 1095-C), a statement that your request is for providing statements to recipients, a reason for the delay, and a signature of the filer or an authorized agent. If your request is approved, you’ll generally be given a maximum of 30 extra days to furnish the forms.

And Just to Scare You Straight
If you fail to comply with the ACA reporting requirements, you may be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. The penalty for failure to file is generally $250 per form, with the total penalty for a calendar year not exceeding $3,000,000. And the IRS has special rules in place that can increase the per-statement and total penalties if you intentionally disregard filing. So it’s probably best to stay on the IRS’s good side.

If you need any help e-filing your ACA forms, or have any questions along the way, the ExpressACAForms support team is here! We’re available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST for phone (704-839-2270) and chat support, and 24/7 at support@expressirsforms.com.

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The Adventures of Ace: The Holiday Giving Caper

Once upon a December - this one, in fact - Ace, the World’s First E-Filing Superhero, was scrounging about the aisles of his local toy store while simultaneously explaining to the harried store owner why he always shopped small businesses, especially around the holidays.

“Backbone of America, you folks are. Why, if I had a dollar for every time I was able to find the precise thing I needed… Ah! There it is!”

“You see,” Ace explained to the store owner, “I saw on the ExpressTaxExempt Twitter that this past Tuesday was Giving Tuesday and I just don’t feel I gave enough. Imagine me, a superhero, not giving enough?! I could hardly call myself super then. I mean, why not just turn in my spandex at that point?”

“Okay, well here’s your receipt, uhh,” the store owner attempted to interject.

“Ace! My name is Ace! And I have come to this town to rid it of the evil Confusion! You see, it all began in the Dark Ages when a period of intellectual darkness overtook--”

“Ace! Thank you! Your receipt!” The store owner successfully interjected, keeping Ace from beginning another “explanation.”

“Someone’s in trouble! Confusion! She’s near! Shopkeep, hold these bags for me. This shouldn’t take long.”

Through the snowy streets Ace flew, listening intently for the sounds of Confusion’s evil spell. He soon found that the source of the noise seemed to be coming from the post office, and quietly crept in to assess the situation.

“Hmm,” whispered Ace to himself. “A patron of this postal establishment seems to be causing quite a disturbance with the postmaster. This must be the work of Confusion!”

“Don’t you see?” The patron pleaded with the postmaster. “I have a very large business and in January I’m going to have to send out thousands of these dumb Affordable Care Act forms to my employees AND the IRS so I need literally all of the stamps you have, and I’m not leaving until I get them!”

“Sir, as I’ve tried to explain, I can’t sell you all of my stamps! This is one of our busiest seasons, I’ve got to consider our other customers!”

“Huh?” The postmaster and patron said in response.

“You see, I’m the world’s first e-filing superhero, and I think I may be of some assistance. My arch-nemesis Confusion has obviously been here, but fear not! I know just how to handle this!”

“You’re gonna make him give me all his stamps?”

“No, silly patron. I’m going to tell you about ExpressACAForms, the simple and fast way to file your Affordable Care Act forms without having to visit a post or IRS office! Now, did I hear correctly that you have thousands of these forms to file?”

“Yes, so I need to start mailing them now if I’m ever going to get them to my employees and the IRS by the due date!”

“Well, first of all, if you have more than 250 forms to file, the IRS requires you e-file with them, so now there’s no need to worry about mailing those. Secondly, ExpressACAForms has an easy-to-use Bulk Upload feature, so even though you have thousands of forms to complete, you won’t have to fill them out individually.”

“But what about my employees?”

“I’m getting to it!” Ace exploded. “Excuse me, I do so hate to be interrupted. Anyway, as I was going to say, you can print and mail your forms to your employees yourself with ExpressACAForms, but they also give you the opportunity to save the forms and email them instead. Or, for a postage fee, you can have the people at ExpressACAForms mail your forms to your employees for you!”

“Now that my work here is done,” Ace said as he flew away, “it’s time to go get those toys. And then I can get some canned goods! Oooh and I’ll cash in my savings account! Hooray Giving Tuesday!”

For any help Ace wasn’t able to provide, you can always get in touch with the ExpressACAForms support team. Located in downtown Rock Hill, South Carolina, we’re available by phone, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, at (704) 839-2270. We also offer live chat through our website and 24/7 email support at support@expressirsforms.com.

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E-File Your 2014 ACA Forms FREE With ExpressACAForms

2015 is quickly coming to a close and, with it, your opportunity to e-file the optional 2014 ACA information returns absolutely FREE with ExpressACAForms!

The IRS has made filing for Affordable Care Act forms for the 2014 tax year optional as a way to allow filers to learn these new forms before the required 2015 filing early next year. And at ExpressACAForms, we’re offering our e-filing services absolutely free so that you can practice these forms at no cost to you.

It’s always free to create an account with ExpressACAForms, but now you can utilize our entire service for free as well. Once you create your account, feel free to look around our program and at the features we offer, including our user-friendly Dashboard, where you can find information about your account, our support services, and access your Address Book.

Throughout the process, we’ve included helpful hints and guidelines to walk you through the forms step by step. When it comes time to incorporate the information for your recipients or employees into your forms, you can enter each recipient’s information individually, or utilize our Bulk Upload feature to enter in multiple recipients at once.

And remember that Address Book we mentioned earlier? Once you’ve uploaded information about an employer or a recipient, their information is automatically saved in your Address Book. Thanks to our cloud-based software, you can access this at any time in the future: like when you’re filing for future tax years. By setting up your contact information and preferences now for free, you’ll save yourself a lot of time and headaches in the future. In other words, your 2015 ACA filings can be done in a matter of clicks if you try ExpressACAForms now!

And keep in mind that a feature that’s always free is our top-of-the-line customer support. We’re available by phone and live chat Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout the year at (704) 839-2270. We’re also available 24/7 at support@expressirsforms.com. Give us a call and you’ll see why we’re the best US-based customer support for e-filing you’ll experience.

So give ExpressACAForms a try today! What have you got to lose?

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