ACA Form Correction Frequently Asked Questions

As if the Affordable Care Act forms you’ve just finished filing weren’t stressful enough, now you’ve got to do them all over again because they’ve been rejected. Or accepted with errors? Can they even do that?

They can, and you’re still expected to make sure each form is corrected. Read on to find out more about this and more answers to your ACA correction FAQs:

Which ACA forms can I correct?
When correcting a return, you can correct Forms 1094-C and either Forms 1095-B or 1095-C. Because Form 1094-B doesn’t have any additional information on it that would cause a return to be rejected, it won’t ever need to be corrected.

What information can be corrected on my forms?

• On Form 1094-C, you can correct the employer details (name, EIN, address, DGE details) and the ALE member information (total number of forms, ALE group details).
• On Form 1095-B, you can correct the responsible individual or employee details, employer details, issuer details, and covered individual details.
• On Form 1095-C, you can correct the employee details and coverage information, as well as the covered individual details.

Do I need to re-issue the corrected forms to my recipients?
If you need to make corrections on a Form 1095-B or 1095-C, you are required to furnish a corrected copy to the recipient of the original form. If you’re correcting a Form 1094-C, you’ll only need to send the correct copy to the IRS.

The IRS rejected my forms. What should I do now?
If the IRS rejected your ACA return, you’ll need to identify the error that caused the rejection as soon as possible. If the entire return was rejected, it’s likely an error on the Form 1094-C or among the employer or issuer details on Form 1095-B. Once you’ve identified the error, you’ll have to file a corrected return as soon as possible. You may need to reissue forms to your employees or recipients in addition to the forms you send the IRS.

The IRS accepted my return, but with errors. How do I fix the errors?
To fix the errors in an accepted return, you’ll need to identify the individual errors that caused each rejected form. In this case, the error is usually a TIN mismatch. Make the appropriate corrections and send the new forms to the IRS and your recipient(s), if applicable.

How is ACA form correction done through ExpressACAForms?
Quickly and easily! No, seriously: if your return was rejected, or accepted with errors, the best place to e-file your corrections is ExpressACAForms. All you do once you create your account is upload a document of your corrected information, we’ll put it all together, let you review it, and send it off to the IRS with an error-free guarantee.

If you have any questions about e-filing your corrections through ExpressACAForms, we’re happy to help! Just give us a call at (704) 839-2270 or send us a live chat through our website. We’re available Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EDT. We also offer 24/7 email assistance through support@ExpressACAForms.com!

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Missed Your ACA Deadline? Here's What You Need to Do

No one’s perfect. Unfortunately, this sometimes even applies to IRS filing deadlines.

It’s true that not everyone was able to file their Affordable Care Act return, Forms 1094 and 1095, with the IRS on time this year, despite the automatic three-month extension everyone filing received. But rather than worry about what the IRS is going to do because you haven’t filed yet, it’s time to act so that your return is only late and not missing.

This year, late filing is a little more acceptable than it will be in the future. For your 2015 return, the IRS is forgiving late filing fees if you can prove that you made good faith efforts to file timely and correctly. However, after this year, you could be charged up to $250 per form filed late depending on when, or if, you eventually file your return.

The key fact to take away here (if you haven’t filed yet this year) is to file as soon as possible after the due date you missed. This year, it shows one of those good faith efforts we talked about regarding getting your forms to the right place (in this case, the IRS). Next year (or any year after), if you’re late, filing as soon as possible will help keep your late-filing penalties lower. Think $50 per late form instead of $250.

Keep in mind that you can generally avoid these penalties by filing well before your due date, that way you have time to notice any filing mishaps that may occur. If you do file before the deadline and have to make corrections, it won’t matter if your corrections come in after the deadline since your original filing was on time.

If you haven’t already, you can sign up with ExpressACAForms today - either to e-file a late 2015 return or to get prepared for your 2016 ACA filing. And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EDT, at (704) 839-2270, or send us an email anytime to support@ExpressACAForms.com.

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ACA E-filing is Still Available at ExpressACAForms

It’s been a whirlwind of a year, so we understand if things got away from you and your ACA filing hasn’t been at the center of your focus. That’s why whether you need to correct a rejected return or get started on a late filing, ExpressACAForms is here to help.

With our state of the art, IRS-authorized e-filing system, you can still upload, process, and e-file your ACA return, even though it’s past the deadline. Just create an account at www.ExpressACAForms.com to get started.

Additionally, if you have already e-filed your return only to have it rejected by the IRS - with very little instruction on how to correct it, might we add - ExpressACAForms can help you to easily and accurately amend your forms. We can even help you retransmit them to the IRS with that handy dandy e-filing system we mentioned.

And since we’re still working hard to make sure your ACA return is e-filed correctly, our US-based customer support team is available to help with any questions you have while filing. We’re available by phone (704-839-2270) and live chat (through our website) Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. We also provide 24/7 email assistance through support@ExpressACAForms.com.

If your ACA return still hasn’t be resolved, even though we’re past the deadline, there’s no need to fret: ExpressACAForms is here for you!

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Employer Methods for Reporting Offers of Coverage

When it comes to reporting your ACA return, there a few different ways to do so based on the coverage you offer your employees or recipients. Let’s dive straight into three of the most common, shall we?

General Reporting Method
What is likely to be the most used reporting method is the General Reporting Method. As a business with employees, this is the sort of reporting you’re used to, similar to when you file your 1099 or W-2 forms. You’ll complete Forms 1095-B or 1095-C for your employees/recipients with information on the health care coverage you offered and mail them off in January each year. Additionally, you’ll send copies of Form 1095-B or C along with Forms 1094-B or C (respectively) to the IRS by February 28/29 if you paper file and by March 31 if you e-file.

Reporting Based on Certification of Qualifying Offers
If you’re an applicable large employer (ALE) and the plan you offered to one or more of your employees meets all the requirements for being a qualifying offer, you can report your offers on a simplified return for the employees who received qualifying offers. The qualifying offer must last for all months of the year and must have been offered to the employee’s spouse and dependents (if applicable). Certain ALEs may be able to provide a simplified employee statement in lieu of a copy of Form 1095-C for each full-time employee under this reporting method.

98% Offer Reporting Method
This method is similar to the Qualifying Offer method, however it’s based on the quantity of coverage you offer rather than quality. If you’re an ALE who makes offers of coverage that meet the requirements for minimum essential coverage (MEC) and minimum value (MV) to at least 98% of their full-time employees can use the simplified reporting method detailed above. You must also be able to prove that anyone not offered the MEC was a part-time employee rather than a full-time one.

E-filing with ExpressACAForms
When you e-file with ExpressACAForms, we make every effort to make sure your forms are completed accurately and filed securely with the IRS. You can get started today by creating a free account at www.ExpressACAForms.com. If you have any questions or need assistance, you can give us a call at (704) 839-2270 Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET, or send us an email anytime to support@ExpressACAForms.com.

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Reporting Offers of Coverage on Your ACA Return

Welcome to an unofficial part two for frequently asked questions on offers of coverage and how to report them for Applicable Large Employers (ALEs). Since the rest of what’s reported on a 1094-C or 1095-C is your standard identifying information (name, address, SSN, etc.), we’ve found most of the questions we answer on the ExpressACAForms support lines have to do with reporting the offers of coverage codes.

It makes perfect sense: this is the first year anyone is dealing with these Affordable Care Act forms and codes. So let’s get started with answering the questions you have.

How should an ALE report an offer of coverage made to an employee for a specific calendar month?
To report an offer of coverage made to an employee, an ALE will use line 14 of Form 1095-C, under Part II, Offer of Coverage. Consult the offer of coverage codes to see which code best defines the offer provided for the employee for whom you’re filing this Form 1095-C. If one code applied for all 12 months of the year, you could enter it in the first box, “All 12 Months” and leave the remainder of line 14 blank. However, if you need to report an offer code for one or more specific months, you’ll just put the code in the appropriately marked box(es), Jan-Dec.

How should an ALE report the offer of coverage for the first month an employee was hired?
For the first month an employee was hired, ALEs should enter code 1H (no offer of coverage) unless the employee was offered (and accepted) coverage that applied each day of the month, even if they began work on a later day than the first. Keep in mind, though, that ALEs who use code 1H for the first month of employment may be entitled to relief under section 4980H liability if limited non-assessment period conditions apply. But more on that later.

How should an ALE report the offer of coverage for the last month a recipient was employed?
Like the first month of hire, unless your offer of coverage (or the coverage itself) extends to every day of the month someone’s employment was terminated, you’ll enter code 1H on line 14 for their last month. If the offer of coverage would have extended to the last day of the month had the employee not terminated his/her employment, you’ll still need to enter code 1H, however, you’ll be eligible for relief under section 4980H liability. You can indicate this by entering code 2B on line 16 for that month.

Are ALEs required to enter a code on line 16 of Form 1095-C?
No. The codes entered on line 16 of Form 1095-C indicate certain situations for employees (as in, their first or last month) or the type of safe harbor relief an ALE is eligible for under section 4980H. If any of the codes for line 16 apply for the employee for whom you’re filing, you’ll need to enter them in the appropriate month(s). Otherwise, you can leave line 16 blank.

E-filing with ExpressACAForms
Time is running out to e-file with ExpressACAForms before the ACA e-filing deadline tomorrow, June 30, 2016. If you need help with your account or have any questions about your forms, give us a call between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. ET at (704) 839-2270. If you need us after hours, we provide 24/7 email assistance via support@ExpressACAForms.com.

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Employer Reporting: Forms 1094-C & 1095-C

Since we’re getting down to the wire for the Affordable Care Act e-filing deadline for Forms 1094-C and 1095-C, we thought we’d take the time to answer a few commonly asked questions regarding offers of coverage and how to report them for Applicable Large Employers (ALEs).

For which employees does an ALE file Form 1095-C?
Typically, ALEs will file a Form 1095-C for each employee who was a full-time employee for any month of the calendar year. Additionally, ALEs that sponsor self-insured plans must file a Form 1095-C for any employee who enrolls themselves or a family member in the coverage, regardless of their full-time status.

What information must an ALE provide to its full-time employees?
All ALEs will need to send a completed copy of each Form 1095-C to the employee to whom it refers. Form 1094-C is sent only to the IRS, however, and not to individual employees.

For which employees is an ALE not required to file Form 1095-C?
Unless the employee or the employee’s family member was enrolled in a self-insured plan sponsored by the ALE, ALEs do not need to report Form 1095-C for these employees:

• An employee who wasn’t a full-time employee for any month of the year
• An employee who was in a limited non-assessment period for each month of the year

Which ALEs need to complete Part III of Form 1095-C?
Part III of Form 1095-C only needs to be completed by ALEs that sponsor a self-insured health plan for employees and family members of those employees who enrolled in the self-insured coverage. Do not complete Part III if you’re an ALE that offers coverage through an employer-sponsored health plan.

E-filing with ExpressACAForms
As a full-service ACA e-filing solution, ExpressACAForms helps ensure your Forms 1094-C and 1095-C are filed accurately and on time with the IRS. Create an account today to have your forms finished and filed by the deadline this Thursday, June 30. If you have any questions or issues along the way, give our US-based customer service center a call at (704) 839-2270 or send us an email to support@ExpressACAForms.com.

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E-file Your Ultipro, Evolution HCM, & PRO-WARE ACA XML with ExpressACAForms

Did you generate your ACA compliance data with Evolution HCM or a PRO-WARE software? Do you now need that ACA data to be e-filed with the IRS, but find yourself lacking the necessary Transmitter Control Code (TCC)?

Well look no further: ExpressACAForms is the best place to import that ACA data, no matter what format it’s in, and e-file it easily with the IRS. In addition to data that’s generated by Ultipro, Ultimate, Evolution HCM, or PRO-WARE, ExpressACAForms can also e-file data generated from any sort of ACA compliance software.


How Do I E-file my ACA Data to the IRS?
With ExpressACAForms, it’s very simple. Just sign up for an account to get started. Once your account is set up, you’ll add a small amount of information about your business, like the name, EIN, and person of contact.

Next, you’ll securely upload your ACA data in one of the following ways:

• Using your own custom Excel template,
• Using completed 1094 & 1095 PDFs,
• Using a generated 1094/1095 XML file, or
• Using any template format.

Once your upload is complete, you’ll signal us from your dashboard, and the program will begin generating your forms to send back to you for your approval. After you review and approve your forms, the program will transmit them securely to the IRS.

ExpressACAForms Features
When you e-file with ExpressACAForms, you automatically get access to these awesome features:

• Bulk Upload- Upload the ACA information of all of your employees/recipients in a single file.
• Data Validation- ExpressACAForms performs data validation checks for the ACA data you upload to help prevent common errors.
• TIN Matching & IRS Business Rule Validation- Among the data validation checks are TIN matching and IRS Business Rule validation processes to ensure your forms meet IRS standards.
• Unlimited Corrections- If anything went wrong during your e-filing and part of your return is rejected, we’ll notify you regarding any errors. You can then correct the errors and send them back to us for further processing.
• Real Time Notification- On each and every step of the ExpressACAForms process, you’ll be notified regarding the status of your return.
• Re-transmit Rejected Returns- If you needed to make any corrections, you can re-transmit the corrected return as many times as you need at no additional cost to you.
• Cloud-based Software- With ExpressACAForms’s cloud-based software, it’s easy to access your account and complete your return from anywhere at anytime.
• US-based Customer Support- Don’t hesitate to contact our US-based customer support for information about e-filing your ACA return. You can reach us via our 24/7 email assistance at support@ExpressACAForms.com, or give us a call (704-839-2270) or send us a live chat during our office hours (Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. ET).

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