ExpressACAForms: A Market Leader in ACA Form Reporting

Did you know that you can e-file your Affordable Care Act Forms right where you get all of your up-to-date ACA information?

(We mean here, at ExpressACAForms, of course!)

This past year, ExpressACAForms was one of the first IRS-authorized e-file providers for the ACA Forms 1094 and 1095. And we put every bit of our online filing and cloud-based software know-how into ensuring we were (and still are) one of the best too!

We’re certainly one of the easiest e-file service providers, at any rate. It only takes five steps - from start to e-file - to have your forms reported to the IRS with ExpressACAForms:

Now, you may be thinking, “Yeah, yeah, so you’re fast, what else you got?” To that, we say, “Just check this out!”

And then we’ll point you to this list of our awesome features that make e-filing a cinch:

• Bulk upload any file your ACA data is already in.
• Our bulk upload feature goes beyond those of our competitors. Not only can you upload everything you have at once, but you can do it with whatever file you already have.
• Got a PDF? Great! Excel spreadsheet? Throw it on in there! XML file? Go crazy! If it’s all together and in one file, you can use it.
• Cloud-based software means you-can-access-it-anywhere software!
• With our cloud-based software, anywhere you have access to the internet and a browser, you have access to your ExpressACAForms account and all the information in it.
• Plus, there’s no need to download any external software onto your computer to access your account!
• There’s a print center in your account!
• You can use this to print your official forms whenever you need them! 
• We also do postal mailing!
• You know how you’re supposed to mail your 1095 Forms to your employees/recipients? Well, you could, or you could authorize us to do it for you!
• You’ll still have access to the forms in your print center if you need them, but if you select postal mailing, we’ll print and mail your forms for you from our offices in Rock Hill, SC by the next business day.
• Plus, you can’t beat our friendly expert customer support team!
• We’re located right here in the US, so anytime you call in, you’ll be connected with a real person you understand.
• And we have round-the-clock contact options! Our phone (704-954-8420) and live chat lines are open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST, and we provide 24/7 email support through support@ExpressACAForms.com.

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What it Means: Form 1095-C, Line 16

Welcome back! We’re here for Part 2 of ExpressACAForms’s series on lines 14 and 16 of Form 1095-C, Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage.

And since we covered line 14 last time, this post is all about line 16!

Form 1095-C, Line 16
So, as you remember, line 14 indicates to the IRS the type of coverage you offered your employee. Line 16 takes that a step further and indicates to the IRS any safe harbor situations that applied to you/that employee with Code Series 2. It basically answers the “why” question for the type of coverage you chose to offer.

Tax Year 2016 Code Changes
If you remember filling out line 16 this past year, there’s a chance you remember entering code 2I. Not this year! The IRS got rid of code 2I on line 16 of Form 1095-C this year since the safe harbor it represented was exclusive to the 2015 tax year.

Code Series 2
On line 16 of Form 1095-C, you’ll use one code per month (or one code for all 12 months) as it applies to that employee. Here are those codes and what they mean:

• 2A. The employee was not employed during the month indicated. If the employee worked even one day of the month, you are not allowed to use code 2A. Additionally, code 2A should not be used for the month an employee is terminated.
• 2B. The employee was not a full-time employee during the month indicated. If the employee was not a full-time employee and did not enroll in MEC, use code 2B. You’ll also use 2B if the employee was a full-time employee whose coverage ended that month solely because the employee terminated employment.
• 2C. The employee enrolled in the coverage offered. Code 2C cannot be used if code 1G is in line 14 or if the coverage was not MEC. Code 2C also shouldn’t be used for months terminated employees are enrolled in COBRA continuation coverage.
• 2D. The employee is in a section 4980H(b) Limited Non-Assessment Period or an initial measurement period.
• 2E. Use code 2E for any month for which the multiemployer arrangement interim guidance applies to that employee, regardless of any other code in Code Series 2 that may apply.
• 2F. Enter code 2F if section 4980H Form W-2 safe harbor was used to determine affordability for the employee for the year. Code 2F must be used for all months of the year the employee was offered health coverage if it applies.
• 2G. Enter code 2G if section 4980H federal poverty line safe harbor was used to determine affordability for the employee for any months of the year.
• 2H. Enter code 2H if section 4980H rate of pay safe harbor was used to determine affordability for the employee for any months of the year.

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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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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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Happy Thanksgiving from ExpressACAForms!

From our family at ExpressACAForms to yours, a very happy Thanksgiving to you! We’d like to extend our gratitude for each and every one of our customers this holiday season. This is our first Thanksgiving, and we couldn’t be more grateful for all of the hard work and effort that went into getting us up and running for the new year of Affordable Care Act forms.

These new forms are probably the furthest thing from your mind today, and that’s okay. We’ll still be here when you’re ready to provide the easiest and quickest way to file your 1094 and 1095 forms. And as an extra thank you for trying our program, filing for the 2014 tax year is absolutely free!

In the meantime, our office will be closed today, Thanksgiving, and tomorrow, November 27th. Email support will be available again tomorrow and throughout the weekend at support@expressirsforms.com.

Thank you again for choosing ExpressACAForms. We appreciate your business and wish you the happiest of Thanksgivings!

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ACA Forms: What Your Recipients Should Know

If you’re a frequent flier of our Express tax products blogs, you might experience a little déjà vu when reading this one, because today we’re going to focus on what your employees and recipients should know about the Affordable Care Act information return forms. But bear with us, and we’ll try to spice things up for you as you re-review this information!

When we talk about the new ACA Forms 1094 and 1095, we tend to focus on the employers and the providers of health care coverage. Which makes sense: the responsibility of completing and filing these forms falls on them. But there’s a good chance that, at this point, your employees or recipients have asked you about what they need to know about the new ACA filing requirements.

The more you can do to educate your employees or recipients about Forms 1094 and 1095 and their purposes, the less likely you are to deal with confused and frustrated employees or clients. You may even want to consider sending out a notice or having a meeting to explain these forms and how they’ll affect your recipients.

Quick! Who makes the better detective, Sherlock Holmes or a tax accountant? The tax account: she makes more deductions.

Told ya we’d try to spice things up for you (winky-face emoticon).

Anyway, your employees should know that the ACA requires all employers with 50 or more full-time employees are required to provide affordable health coverage to their employees. These employers and other providers of minimum essential health care coverage will send out a Form 1095 (either B or C) to recipients to provide information about this coverage each January, around the same time they receive their W-2 or 1099s. This form indicates that they had health care coverage for all 12 months, unless they declined enrollment or an error has been made. Let your recipients know who they should contact if an error has been made on their 1095 form. Make sure that if an error does occur, your recipient’s form is updated along with the copy that is transmitted to the IRS.

You can stress the importance of the ACA forms without stressing out your employees or your clients. Make sure there’s someone they can come to who can answer questions about their forms.

And if you need any help with the ACA forms - or keeping stress-free when you file them - don’t hesitate to reach out to us. ExpressACAForms is here for you every step of the way: just give us a call at (704) 839-2270, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; live chat us through our website; or send us an email 24/7 at support@expressirsforms.com!

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But Why ExpressACAForms?

Filing for the 2015 tax year hasn’t even begun yet, but there’s a good chance you’re already tired of hearing about the new Affordable Care Act forms that are required to be filed next year. In fact, there’s a good chance you’re just tired of the Affordable Care Act altogether at this point.

So that probably means you want to get these forms done as quickly and easily as possible so you can focus on other, more important things, right? Unless, of course, you’re the type to close your eyes and ears and shut yourself in your room until the scary, mean form goes away. But since we don’t get to do that so often as adults, you might want to go for the former option with these ACA forms.

One of the quickest and easiest ways to get Forms 1094-B/C and 1095-B/C completed and filed with the IRS is to e-file with ExpressACAForms. If you’ve used one of our other tax filing products (like ExpressTaxFilings or Express990), then you’re probably already familiar with how we break down these complicated IRS forms into easy-to-understand questions. Since you won’t be spending so much time trying to decipher Forms 1094 and 1095, you’ll be able to finish them in a fraction of the time it would’ve taken you to paper file.

ExpressACAForms also saves you time and headaches by making sure your forms are filed and accepted the first time around. We guarantee accurate calculations based on the information you enter, and before anything gets sent to the IRS, our exclusive audit check feature will review your form for any obvious errors.

And, as always, our customer support is beyond stellar. Our team of e-filing experts are located right here in the United States -- Rock Hill, South Carolina to be exact -- and are always happy to help you out. Just give us a call Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST at (704) 839-2270, or send us a live chat through our website. We also offer 24/7 email support at support@expressirsforms.com.

Oh, and did we mention that you can e-file your ACA forms for the current 2014 tax year absolutely free? Because you can. So give us a shot, and see why you’ll want to keep filing with ExpressACAForms!

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