ACA FORMS WON'T BE REQUIRED FOR FILING INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX RETURNS

Insurers, self-insuring employers, other coverage providers and applicable large employers now have until March 2, 2018, to provide Forms 1095-B or 1095-C to individuals, a 30-day extension from the original due date of January 31st . The IRS said that should not be an obstacle for taxpayers who want file earlier than that: "“While information on these forms may assist in preparing a return, the forms are not required to file.”Insurers, self-insuring employers, other coverage providers and applicable large employers are required by the ACA to provide statements to employees or covered individuals regarding health care coverage offered to them.This 30-day extension is automatic; employers and providers do not have to request it. The due dates for filing 2017 information returns with the IRS are not extended. For 2018, the due dates for information returns with the IRS are February 28 for paper filers and April 2 for e-filers.Because of these extensions, individuals may not receive their 1095-Bs or 1095-Cs by the time they are ready to file their 2017 individual income tax return. While information on these forms may assist in preparing a return, the forms are not required to file. Taxpayers can prepare and file their returns using other information about their health coverage.

However, the Form 1095-A, provided by the Marketplace, is still required prior to filing the tax return in order to correctly prepare the Form 8962 and the reconciliation of the advanced premium tax credit to the information on the individual income tax return.