On December 22, 2017, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Notice 2018-06 to:
- Extend the due date for furnishing forms under Sections 6055 and 6056 for 2017 for 30 days, from January 31, 2018, to March 2, 2018
- Extend good-faith transition relief from penalties related to 2017 information reporting under Sections 6055 and 6056.
Notice 2018-06 does not extend the due date for filing forms with the IRS for 2017. The due date for filing with the IRS under Sections 6055 and 6056 remains February 28, 2018 (April 2, 2018, if filing electronically).
Extended Furnishing Deadline
The IRS has again determined that some employers, insurers and other providers of MEC need additional time to gather and analyze the information and prepare the 2017 Forms 1095-B and 1095-C to be furnished to individuals. Therefore, Notice 2018-06 provides an additional 30 days for furnishing the 2017 Form 1095-B and Form 1095-C, extending the due date from Jan. 31, 2018, to March 2, 2018.
Despite the delay IRS is encouraging employers and other coverage providers to furnish 2017 statements to individuals as soon as they are able. No request or other documentation is required to take advantage of the extended deadline.
Filers are not required to submit any request or other documentation to the IRS to take advantage of the extended furnishing due date provided by Notice 2018-06. Because this extended furnishing deadline applies automatically to all reporting entities, the IRS will not grant additional extensions of time of up to 30 days to furnish Forms 1095-B and 1095-C. As a result, the IRS will not formally respond to any requests that have already been submitted for 30-day extensions of time to furnish statements for 2017.
The IRS stated that because of these extensions, individuals may not receive their Forms 1095-B or 1095-C 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. They do not have to wait for Forms 1095-B or 1095-C to file.
Important Dates
February 28, 2018
Deadline for 2017 filing with the IRS in paper form
March 2, 2018
Deadline for furnishing 2017 Forms 1095-B and 1095-C to individuals
April 2, 2018
Deadline for 2017 filing with the IRS electronically