Time’s Almost Up! Last-Minute ACA Filing Tips for Meeting March 31st Deadline

Estimated reading time: 12 minute(s)

Tax season isn’t just about filing 1099 and other IRS tax forms—you must also ensure your ACA Forms 1095-B and 1095-C are filed on time. With the March 31st deadline fast approaching, now is the perfect time to file your ACA forms and stay compliant!

Whether you’re an ALE handling ACA compliance for your workforce or a provider responsible for reporting health coverage details, now is the time to act. The good news is that you don’t have to do it alone.

This guide offers last-minute filing tips to help you complete your ACA filings accurately and confidently to meet the deadline. Plus, with ACAwise, e-filing your 1095-B/C forms is quick, easy, and fully compliant with the IRS.

March 31st is Almost Here! Last-Minute Filing Tips

These last-minute tips will help you efficiently meet the e-filing deadline, accurately complete Forms 1095-B and 1095-C, avoid IRS penalties, and stay compliant!

• Choose the Right ACA Form:
  With the March 31st ACA e-filing deadline just hours away, selecting the correct form is crucial to avoid IRS penalties. Here’s a quick breakdown to ensure you file accurately:
  • Form 1095-B: If you’re a small employer (fewer than 50 employees) providing minimum essential coverage or a health insurer offering individual market coverage, you must file this form.
  • Form 1095-C: If you’re an Applicable Large Employer (ALE) with 50 or more full-time employees, you must file this form to report employee health coverage.
    

Don’t forget to include the required transmittal forms (1094-B or 1094-C) when submitting your ACA returns.

• Gather the Required Information Quickly
  To complete ACA reporting before the deadline, have these key details ready:
  • Form 1095-B Filing Requirements:  To file 1095-B, you must include recipient details like name, SSN, date of birth, and address, along with your business name, address, and EIN. You must also report coverage provider details and the individuals covered under the plan, including their names and coverage months.
    
  • Form 1095-C Filing Requirements: To file 1095-C, you must include employee details like names, address, and SSNs, along with your name, address, and EIN. You must also include 1095-C codes, the employee’s required contribution (if applicable), and any individuals covered under the plan.

Meet Additional ACA State Filing Requirements

In addition to federal ACA reporting requirements, some states also require ACA forms to be filed by March 31st! If your business operates in the following states, make sure to file your ACA returns before the deadline:

• California
• New Jersey
• Rhode Island

Penalties for ACA Form 1095 Non-Compliance

If you fail to file Forms 1095-B and 1095-C before the deadline, you could face serious financial penalties. The IRS may charge $330 per form, and if you have many employees, these penalties can add up quickly—potentially reaching up to $3,987,000 annually. To avoid these penalties, make sure your filings are accurate and submitted on time!

Need More Time to File ACA Forms? Request an Extension

With the March 31st deadline approaching, filing for an extension gives you extra time to ensure accuracy and stay compliant without the last-minute rush.

• Form 8809: Get an automatic 30-day extension for filing Forms 1095-B/C with the IRS.
• Form 15397: If you need additional time to distribute employee copies, you can submit Form 15397 to request a 30-day extension, but it must be faxed to the IRS before the deadline.

ACAwise – Your Full-Service Solution for Last-Minute ACA Filing

With the deadline only a few days away, there’s no time to waste. ACAwise offers a full-service solution to help you file Forms 1095-B and 1095-C accurately and on time.

Here’s how ACAwise simplifies the process:

• ACA Core – Perfect for businesses with their ACA filing details and codes. If you’re confident in managing ACA data, ACA Core lets you quickly generate and e-file forms.
• ACA Elite—For businesses that need extra help, ACA Elite generates the necessary ACA forms and codes from employee census data, payroll data, and other key information.
• State-Only Services – If your state has unique ACA filing requirements, ACAwise handles e-filing with the mandated states.

Additional Features to Ensure a Smooth Filing

• TIN Matching & USPS Validation to avoid IRS errors
• Recipient Copy Distribution via postal mail and online access

Don’t risk last-minute filing stress or penalties. ACAwise makes it easy to meet the deadline and stay compliant!