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Wellness Rules Under the ADA – Will There Ever Be Certainty?

We previously blogged about the EEOC’s final rules, published in the Federal Register on May 17, 2016, that explain how the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) applies to employer sponsored wellness programs. These rules clarified when an employee health program, which includes a disability-related inquiry or medical examination, is considered “voluntary” under the ADA.  The […]

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Much Ado about $50… IRS Announces Relief for Reduction of Maximum HSA Contributions

On April 3, we blogged about a reduction in the HSA contribution limit for family coverage in 2018 from $6,900 to $6,850.  This was a technical change resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that adjusted the method for calculating inflation.  On April 26, in Revenue Procedure 2018-27, the IRS came through with a […]

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AM

IRS Announces Reduction in Family HSA Contribution Limit for 2018

In Revenue Procedure 2018-18, the Internal Revenue Service announced a reduction in the HSA contribution limit for family coverage in 2018 to $6,850 from $6,900.  The self-only HSA contribution limit for 2018 remains unchanged at $3,450. This change is a technical result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which adjusted the method for calculating […]

Air Ambulance Services – What Does Your Plan Cover?

Due to the increased litigation of air ambulance claims, employers may want to review their plan language to see whether their group health plan covers air ambulance services, and if so, to better understand the terms of the coverage. Below are three issues employers may want to consider: Expensive and Often Out-of-Network.  Air ambulance claims […]

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Review of Qualified Plan Compensation Definition May be Needed Due To Tax Reform

Tax reform made few changes that directly impact qualified retirement plans; however, it made some changes that may indirectly impact qualified retirement plans.  We previously blogged on the indirect changes that tax reform had on hardship distributions.  Tax reform also made changes to the taxation of certain fringe benefits that may impact the definition of […]

AM

Short-Term Deferral Day is Right Around the Corner

Section 409A, the provision of the Internal Revenue Code that regulates the time and form of payment of nonqualified deferred compensation, contains a helpful exception for “short-term deferrals.”  Specifically, Section 409A provides that a payment will not be considered nonqualified deferred compensation if the employer makes the payment on or prior to the 15th day […]

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GG

Congress Kicks the Can Down the Road Again – Cadillac Tax On High Cost Employer Health Coverage Delayed to 2022

Section 4980I, which was added to the Internal Revenue Code by the Affordable Care Act, was originally supposed to take effect in 2018.  This tax is commonly called the “Cadillac tax” because it imposes a 40% excise tax on high cost employer sponsored health coverage. The Consolidated Appropriations Act signed into law on December 18, […]

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NC

Hardship Distribution Changes – Tax Reform May Have Unintended Consequences

When tax reform proposals were floating around in the fall of 2017, several early proposals to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) included changes to the hardship distribution rules for qualified retirement plans. However, the final version of the Act did not make any direct changes to hardship distributions.  Nevertheless, the Act, perhaps […]

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KP
Former Associate

Approaching Deadlines for Affordable Care Act Reporting

As we recently reported in our “2017 End of the Year Plan Sponsor To Do List,” applicable large employers must continue to submit to the IRS and to employees information regarding offers of health coverage made to full-time employees in 2017. The IRS recently published Notice 2018-06 (the “Notice”), which contains some relief with respect […]

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Certain Information Statements for ISOs and ESPPs Due by January 31, 2018

As reported in Part 3 of our 2016 End of Year Plan Sponsor “To Do” List, Section 6039 of the Code requires employers to provide a written information statement to each employee or former employee and file information returns with the IRS regarding: (1) the transfer of stock pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive […]

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GG