Q & A: Individual ACA Information Forms

We’ve been talking a lot lately about the importance of Forms 1095-B and 1095-C for employers and insurance providers who need to file them with the IRS. But what about the other journey copies of Form 1095 will take to the health insurance recipients? What information do recipients need to know about the Form 1095 they’ll get in the mail?

To answer that, we’ve put together a little Q & A for individuals expecting to receive a Form 1095-B or Form 1095-C this year:

Will I get any new health care tax forms in 2016 to use on my tax return?
Yes, beginning in 2016, you’ll receive either a Form 1095-A, B, or C, depending on who your insurance comes from (your employer or elsewhere). Similar to 1099s and W-2s, you’ll receive one or more of these forms from the provider(s) of your insurance to summarize the coverage you were offered during the prior year.

When will I receive these health care tax forms?
Typically, you’ll receive these forms around the same time you get your 1099 or W-2: Form 1095 is due to recipients on January 31st as well. However, this year the IRS extended the deadline for 1095-B and 1095-C recipient copies to March 31st, so you may receive those later. Keep in mind though that this won’t affect your return as an individual, and you should file as you normally would.

How will I receive these forms?
Whoever you received your insurance from last year (the Marketplace, a health coverage provider, or your employer) will mail or hand deliver your form(s) to you. If you’ve agreed to accept tax forms from them electronically, you may receive them that way.

Will I get more than one form?
It’s possible. You may get more than one form if:

• you had coverage from more than one provider,
• more than one employer you worked for offered coverage,
• you changed employers or coverage during the year, or
• other members of your family received coverage from another provider.

Check out question 8 of this IRS FAQ for examples of what to do if you receive more than one form.

Will I get a Form 1095-C from each of my employers?
Again, it’s possible. You’ll receive a Form 1095-C from each employer you worked full-time for if they had 50 or more full-time employees.

Can I file my return if I haven’t received any/all of these forms?
That depends: if you’re receiving Form 1095-B or Form 1095-C, then yes. If you and your family were covered for the entire year, check the full-year coverage box on your return. If not, you can claim an exemption or make a payment with your return.

If you received coverage from the Marketplace, you’ll need information from Form 1095-A to accurately complete and file your tax return. You can get a copy of your Form 1095-A by going to www.HealthCare.gov or your state Marketplace website, or calling your Marketplace call center.

No matter which form you receive, you do not need to send it to the IRS as proof of your health coverage with your tax return. A copy is already filed with the IRS by the provider of your forms. It is good, however, to keep the forms as documentation of coverage with your other tax records.

You can find out more about the ACA forms by visiting our website. And filers of Forms 1095-B and 1095-C: if you have any e-filing or ACA-related questions, just send our expert support team an email, live chat, or call! We’re available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, at (704) 839-2270, and 24/7 at support@expressirsforms.com.