Tips for Filing 1099-R

Form 1099-R is a U.S. Internal Revenue Service form that’s used to report distributions from pensions, annuities, retirement/profit-sharing plans, IRAs, and insurance contractors for each person to whom you have made a designated distribution or are treated as having made a distribution of $10 or more from profit-sharing or retirement plans. This could also include any individual arrangements, annuities, pensions, insurance contractors, survivor income benefit plans, permanent and total disability payments under life insurance contractors, charitable gift annuities, etc. Keep reading for 1099-R filing tips from OnlineFileTaxes.com.

Your taxable amount may not be fully ‘taxable-focus’ on Box 2a – Usually, your plan administrator must reflect the taxable amount of your distribution in Box 2a. Be aware that the following are non-taxable transactions, which would be reported in Box 1, but not Box 2a:
1. Direct rollovers between qualified plans, 403(b) plans, 457(b) plans, traditional IRAs, and simple IRAs
2. The principal on a return of excess contribution from an IRA that’s removed by the deadline (the excess amount and earnings are reported in Box 1, but only the earnings are reported in Box 2a)
3. Any recharacterized IRA contributions or Roth conversions
4. Distributions of after-tax amounts from qualified plan
You will need to apply the non-taxable treatment on your return if an amount is reported in Box 2a – Let’s look at an example of this. You receive a rollover eligible distribution and you rolled over the amount within two months. The IRS requires that you report such amount on Lines 15a and 15b if the distribution was made from an IRA or Lines 16a and 16b if the distribution was made from a qualified savings plan. Maybe you receive a distribution of $15,000 from your traditional IRA last year, but you rolled over the amount within the allocated 60 days. The issuer of your 1099-R must report the amount as taxable. When you file your return, be sure to do the following:
1. Enter $15,000 on Line 15a
2. Enter ‘rollover’ next to Line 15b
3. Enter ‘0’ on Line 15b
Non-taxable amounts are attributed to after-tax contributions made to your qualified plan – Here’s the thing: If the distributions were made from a qualified plan or 403(b) plan, then there’s a good chance the 1099-R correctly shows the non-taxable amount. Just know that you may have to file Form 8606 with your return in this case. Form 8606 includes a formula that helps you determine the taxable portion of your distribution. Filing this additional form will help the IRS understand how you got to the current figure.
Stay accurate with any recharacterization – Let’s say that you converted an amount that water recharacterized down the road. If a conversion for last year is recharacterized this year, the 1099-R for recharacterization will not be issued until January of next year. Not only that, but the tax reporting for the recharacterization will likely not correspond to the tax reporting for the conversion. Consider the hypothetical in which you converted $200,000 last year and, due to market losses, the account was valued at $150,000 when it was recharacterized. You should expect to receive a 1099-R form and a 5498 showing $150,000 for the recharacterization. Still, you would treat the entire $200,000 as non-taxable because the entire amount was recharacterized for tax purposes. In the event that you characterize less than 100 percent of the conversion, you will need to file IRS Form 8606.

Unless the form shows that you had taxes withheld, it’s not required that a 1099-R be filed with your return. It’s a good idea, however, to keep a copy of your account statement that includes the transaction for which the form was generated. This way, you have what you need should a transaction review come up down the road.

Stress-Free Way to File 1099 Forms

We are proud to make 1099 preparation much more efficient and cost-effective than it’s been in the past. OnlineFileTaxes.com is an IRS-approved e-file provider. Whether you need just one copy of 1099 forms or hundreds, we can help. Our 1099 online forms are available for as low as $1.25 perform.

Here’s how it works: First, use our online tax reporting service to e-file your 1099 forms in minutes. No longer are you forced to spend hours on end filling out forms manually. From there, your online files are electronically sent to the IRS for fast, efficient, and simple filing. We even print and mail recipient copies for you to keep for your records.

With OnlineFileTaxes.com, you don’t have to invest in expensive software that you only use during tax season. Plus, say goodbye to outrageous administrative and IT costs related to year-end 1099 processing.

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Tips for Filing 1099-DIV

You have plenty of tasks on your to-do list as a business owner. From paying employees to keeping customers happy, you will do whatever is necessary to keep things running smoothly. When it comes to taxes, though, you may be anything but an expert. Let’s say you rely on independent contractors for certain projects. If that’s the case, you must send out 1099 forms for tax-filing purposes. Be aware that such forms are only sent to sole proprietorships and partnerships. Most importantly, it’s your responsibility to do your own bookkeeping. Tax season will be here before we know it, which is why it’s imperative to get those forms straightened out now. Keep reading for 1099-DIV filing tips.

About Form 1099-DIV

Form 1099 Dividends and Distributions is used to report dividends and other distributions payments to investors. What’s a dividend, you may ask? Well, dividends reported on 1099-DIV forms can include dividends paid, capital gains, dividends, and exempt-interest dividends. Form 1099-DIV reports the total amount paid by the bank or financial institution to an investor during the course of a year. The form is also used to report tax items such as Section 1250 Gain, Section 1202 Gain, investment expenses, foreign tax paid, as well as federal tax withheld.

Keep in mind that financial institutions must file this form with the IRS for each investor to whom they have paid dividends during the year, whether electronically or on paper. The bank is also required to provide a statement to the recipient to whom the dividend is paid. In terms of logistics, 1099-DIV forms will be reported on Schedule B of your personal return. Should the form be issued to a partnership or S corporation, it will be listed separately on the Schedule K-1 and end up on your personal Schedule B.

Who Should File Form 1099-DIV?

The IRS requires most payments of dividends and distributions to be reported on 1099-DIV forms by the person or entity that makes the payments. As aforementioned, most financial institutions or government agencies making dividend payments are the ones needing this form.

When is Form 1099-DIV Filed?

An organization must file this form if they:

Paid dividends (including capital gain dividends and exempt-interest dividends) and other distributions on stocks of $10 or more
Paid at least $600 as part of a liquidation
Paid or withheld any foreign tax on dividends and other distributions on stock
Withheld any federal income tax on dividends under the backup withholding rules

Are There Penalties For Not Filing Form 1099-DIV?

If you weren’t already aware, the deadline to file 1099-DIV forms is the end of February if filing on paper. Electronic files must be submitted by the end of March. That said, the deadline to provide recipient copies is the end of January. It’s important to know that the IRS imposes heavy penalties if a business fails to file in general or fails to file correct information with these forms. For example, expect to get penalized for not providing recipient copies. Not surprisingly, the penalty increases with time. That’s why it’s a good idea to file as soon as possible.

File 1099 Forms With Ease

There’s no question that filing your 1099 forms can become a nightmare. Do you really want to spend your time manually completing forms and/or purchasing expensive software to get the job done? Our team at OnlineFileTaxes.com doesn’t think you should. Thanks to our online tax reporting service, you can e-file your 1099 forms online in minutes. Whether you have one or hundreds or 1099 forms, we invite you to check out our services. Note that standard pricing includes printing, mailing, and filing services.

Why Use OnlineFileTaxes.Com?

Are you tired of managing those 1099 tax forms the old-fashioned way? Has it gotten to the point where tax forms get in the way of running your business? Then you’ve got to check out what our e-file provider has to offer. Rest assured that our service is simple, cost-effective, efficient, and secure. As long as you get your data in by the end of March, then it will be filed on time. OnlineFileTaxes.com is also an IRS-approved federal e-filing provider.

Here are just some of the benefits of working with OnlineFileTaxes.com:

Allows you to process any number of forms seamlessly and economically
Eliminates the need to invest in any software
Eliminates administrative and IT costs associated with year-end 1099 processing
Prints, mails, and electronically files with the IRS once you fill out the required forms
Supports uploading Excel files instead of manually filling out forms

With OnlineFileTaxes.com, forms cost as low as $1.25. We are proud to offer the most cost-efficient way to e-file 1099 forms. Don’t let 1099 preparation get in the way of running your business any longer. Sign up for free at OnlineFileTaxes.com.

Tips for Filing 1095-C

Tax season is just around the corner. Under the Affordable Care Act, large employers must provide information regarding their employees’ health insurance coverage on form 1095-C. Keep in mind that ‘large employer’ is one that has at least 50 full-time employees on staff. Employers are also required to file this form with the IRS on paper or electronically (online e-filing). Now that it’s the end of the year, chances are that your organization is busier than ever. But it’s imperative to take the steps now toward completing form 1095-C for your employers. Keep reading for e-file tips.

Use your 2016 employee count to determine your status for the 2017 filing year – Here’s the thing: Your large employer status is determined each calendar year. Depending on any layoffs and/or new hires, your workforce total varies from one year to the next. For 2017 only, you may use any consecutive six months of 2016 to determine if you are a large employer. Those who have fewer than 50 employees in their organization aren’t necessarily off the hook, though. Consider asking a professional if you still have an ACA filing requirement.
Multiple companies with a common owner must combine their workforce totals when determining large employer status – Let’s say the combined total of their full-time employees is greater than or equal to 50. In this case, each separate company is considered a large employer even if their individual workforces alone don’t total 50 or more. Not only that, but each separate company must complete form 1095-C for any applicable employees.
Large employers are required to file form 1095-C for every one of their full-time employees regardless of whether coverage is offered – Some employees decide to waive health coverage that is offered. That said, form 1095-C must still be filed for this employee. Such filing may seem like an unnecessary inconvenience, but it’s required.
Be extra careful when handling employee terminations and coverage – Even after an employee leaves your organization, you still may need to report information on form 1095-C about the coverage offered during the month the termination occurred. Consider this instance: If an employee terminates employment on any day other than the last day of a month and the coverage or coverage off expires upon termination of employment, then you must enter code 1H on line 14. Then again, if the coverage or coverage offer would have continued should the employer had not terminated employment during the month, be sure to enter 2B on line 16.
Not all large employers are required to enter a code on line 16 of form 1095-C – It’s important to know that Line 16 is used to indicate whether the large employe qualifies for an exception to the penalty. Remember to leave line 16 blank if no code is applicable for a given month.

Now that you know more about form 1095-C, let’s dive into two of the more commonly asked questions. First, what is the deadline to file form 1095-C? Well, it’s the end of February if filing on paper. If choosing to e-file, the deadline is the end of March. Just know that the deadline to provide employee copies is the end of January. Next, let’s review the potential penalty for failure to file form 1095-C. For 2017, the IRS will not impose penalties for filing incorrect or incomplete information if the filer/employer has made a good faith to comply with the reporting requirements. Employers that fail to file in a timely fashion may still be eligible for penalty relief if the IRS deems the standards for reasonable cause are satisfied.

Why Choose Online E-Filing?

OnlineFileTaxes.com is the preferred e-file provider nationwide. We make it easy and affordable to file your 1099 forms and other tax documentation. You can rest easy knowing your online files are electronically sent to the IRS for hassle-free filing. By working with us, there’s no need to scramble to the mailbox or office of a tax professional. For your convenience, we even print and mail recipient copies for you to keep for record purposes.

Our e-filing services are geared toward business owners, CPAs, accounting professionals, as well as benefits providers. Thanks to OnlineFileTaxes.com, you can process any number of forms seamlessly and economically. Gone are the days of needing to buy lengthy forms and expensive software. Plus, you’re able to do away with administrative and IT costs associated with year-end processing.

We understand that filing online tax forms is anything but fun. It’s no question you want to spend as little time as possible messing around with 1095’s, 1098’s, and 1099’s. Instead, you would rather put the time toward running and improving your business. OnlineFileTaxes.com allows you to file hundreds of forms in minutes.

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Tips for Filing 1099-MISC

Tax season is just around the corner. As a business owner, you’ve gotten into the habit of waiting until the last second to prepare those necessary forms. But what if you bucked that trend this year? In the coming weeks, you will want to send annual reports to contract workers you paid in 2017. If you aren’t already aware, Form 1099-MISC is what you are required to send independent contractors. We hope this post will serve as a guide to properly prepare and file the form.

What to Do Before You File 1099-MISC

Check the year on tax forms – The Balance reiterates that the Internal Revenue Services changes 1099’s every year. With that in mind, be sure you have the correct year. Note that if you are sending a contractor a 1099-MISC form for 2017 work in January 2018, use the 2017 form.
Send 1099-MISC to independent contractors, not employees – Remember that this form isn’t to be given to employees. The 1099 form is meant to be sent to outside companies and contractor workers who you paid at least $600 for the year. Full-time employees, meanwhile, should receive a W-2, which we will touch on in future posts.
Ensure you have a W-9 form for each payee – A W-9 form must be completed before you send a 1099-MISC to an independent contractor. What exactly is the purpose of a W-9? Without making it too complicated, it’s used to verify that person’s tax identification number.
Order 1099-MISC forms and use the correct one – Now is the time to order the necessary forms for this tax year. Should you have a payroll service, be sure they have what they need to properly file 1099-MISC forms come January. One quick tidbit on the form itself: You must use the official one. You can’t use a 1099-MISC form you download from the Internet because the red ink on Copy A is unable to be copied.
Check for errors before you submit to the IRS – Folks make a number of mistakes when they go to file 1099 forms. From using the form for the wrong year to sending the form to the wrong company and failing to include all requested information, things happen that significantly delay the process. That’s why it’s imperative to double-check the forms prior to submitting to the IRS.
Record payments in the correct year – This is more complex than it sounds. Let’s say your company is paying a contract worker for the last week in December. However, what makes things tricky is the check was dated in January. So what year should that payment be recorded? Well, that income counts toward January.

More About Form 1099-MISC

Keep in mind that 1099-MISC forms can include rent, royalty, prizes, and awards. Typically, payments made to corporations are not reported on this form. There are exceptions to this rule in some cases. Don’t forget that medical/health care payments and attorneys’ fees must be reported on 1099-MISC forms. All businesses operating for the purpose of making a gain or profit is required to file this form. This includes the likes of nonprofit organizations, trusts, cooperatives, and government agencies.

When is Form 1099-MISC Filed?

1099 preparation is required if a business:

Paid at least $10 in royalties, brokerage payments, or tax-exempt interest
Paid at least $600 in rent, services, awards, other income payments, and medical payments
Paid at least $600 to an attorney
Made direct sales of at least $5,000 worth of consumer products
Withheld any federal income tax under the backup withholding rules

We are occasionally asked the question, “What’s the penalty for not filing Form 1099-MISC?” The answer is this: You can expect the IRS to impose heavy penalties on your business if the form is not filed or filed properly. Be aware that there is a penalty for not providing recipient copies. Over time, the penalty only increases. That said, it’s critical to file as soon as possible.

E-File 1099 Forms Today

Let this be the year you take control of tax season. OnlineFileTaxes.com is the most cost-effective way to file your 1099 forms, including Form 1099-MISC. Thanks to our online tax reporting service, you can file Form 1099 online in minutes.

What exactly makes OnlineFileTaxes.com different from other 1099 preparation services? Here are just a few of the major benefits:

Allows you to process any number of tax forms, seamlessly and economically
Takes away the need to buy and fill out long forms
Eliminates the need to invest in software or administrative/IT costs
The copy of 1099 Forms is electronically sent to the IRS for fast, simple, and stress-free filing
We print and mail recipient copies for you to keep for record purposes

It’s time to e-file 1099-MISC. Turn to OnlineFileTaxes.com for all your filing needs this tax season. Let us help you tackle 1099-MISC online.

What to Know About Your W-2 Form

Also known as the “Wage and Tax Statement,” W-2 Forms are an integral part of tax preparation. Your W-2 shows the amount of taxes withheld from your paycheck in a given year. Whether you’re getting a W-2 for the first time or could use a refresher on the form, keep reading to learn more.

W-2 Wages and Withholding

Be aware that you should only receive a W-2 Form if you are an employee. Should you be self-employed or an independent contractor, expect to receive an earnings statement on a 1099 Form instead. For the sake of this post, let’s focus on a W-2 Form. For one, it’s divided into boxes that report numerous items related to your income. When you first receive a year’s W-2, take a close look at box 1. This is where you will find your annual wage and salary payments with the amount of federal tax withheld from it in box 2.

It’s important to know that since only a fraction of your income is subject to Social Security tax, you may find that box 3 report an amount that’s less than the year’s total wages. Wages subject to Medicare and Social Security taxes can also be found in boxes on the form.

What’s Important About Your Tax Withholding?

Take a close look at your next paycheck. When an employer withholds amounts from your paycheck for federal income taxes, those amounts are remitted to the Internal Revenue Service throughout the year. In turn, the amount your employer reports on the W-2 must be subtracted from your tax bill when you prepare a federal return. It’s at this point when you know whether to expect a refund or make an additional tax payment.

Verifying Your Identity

The IRS expects the income you report on your taxes to match the information on your W-2. If it doesn’t, they will want to know why. What a lot of folks fail to realize is that since the IRS gets a copy of your W-2, it already knows if you owe tax and will likely contact you if you fail to file a return. So don’t stand pat if the name or Social Security number on your W-2 is inaccurate. Report the mistake to your employer as quickly as possible so they can resolve in time for filing.

Common Questions About W-2 Forms

Now that you have some additional background information on W-2 Forms, let’s get into some frequently asked questions.

Who needs to file it? – Any employer engaged in a trade or business that pays remunerations for services performed by an employee must file a W-2.
When is it filed? – An employer must file a W-2 if they paid remuneration, including non-cash payments of at least $600 or they withheld any income, Social Security, or Medicare tax.
What’s the deadline? – The deadline to file your W-2 is the end of February if filing on paper. You have a bit more time if e-filing, however, as the deadline is toward the end of March. Employers should know that they have a January deadline to provide employees with their copies.
What’s the penalty for not filing a W-2? – If a business fails to file a W-2, they can expect heavy penalties to be handed down from the IRS. There’s also a penalty should you not provide recipient copies. As with 1099 Forms, penalties only increase with time. That’s why it’s imperative to file as soon as possible.

How OnlineFileTaxes.Com Can Help

Whether you’re a business owner or independent contractor, you don’t have time to mess around with tax forms. That’s where online e-filing comes into play. OnlineFileTaxes.com allows you to send those necessary forms to the IRS for fast, efficient, and simple filing. For years, we have been utilized by small business owners, CPAs, accounting professionals, and individuals. Our team is proud to offer a variety of filing options for your convenience.

So why use us when there are countless other online tax reporting services? For one, OnlineFileTaxes.com allows you to process any number of forms seamlessly and economically. Not only that, but we eliminate the need for expensive software or unsightly administrative/IT costs associated with year-end 1099 processing.

Whether you want to e-file W-2 forms or start on 1095 filing, we can help. Here are some other online tax forms you can expect to find on our site:

1098-MA (Form 1098 Mortgage Interest)
1095-B
1095-C
And more

Take it from Linda Quinn, one of our recent customers. She says, “Having missed my payroll services deadline, I had to, at the last moment, go online and search for a company to prepare our 1099’s. I selected OnlineFileTaxes after looking at several sites. I was very happy with the price, timeliness, and the end result. Thanks for a job well done. I may use you again this year.”

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Tips for Filing 1095-B

Form 1095-B revolves around health coverage. Essentially, it reports the type of coverage you have, dependents covered by your insurance policy, as well as the period of coverage for the prior year. Form 1095-B verifies that you and your dependents have at least minimum qualifying health insurance coverage. If for whatever reason you had a break in health care coverage for the tax year, you may have to pay a tax penalty.Keep reading to learn more about filing Form 1095-B.

Minimum Essential Coverage

Keep in mind there is a minimum level of benefits your insurance must provide for you to avoid paying that tax penalty. Here are the types of insurance that provide such coverage:

Employer-sponsored health plans – These can include coverage for retirees, as well as “COBRA” coverage for former employers.
Government health care plans – Here is where Medicare Part A, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and other similar plans fall into place.
Coverage purchased through the “Marketplace” – Under the Affordable Care Act, these consist of web-based federal and state insurance markets.
Any individual health insurance policy you had in place before Obamacare took effect.

What to Know About Form 1095-B

There are four parts to this form. Here’s what you can expect with each:

Part I – This identifies the person whose name is on the policy. This would be the name of the employee for an employer-sponsored plan.
Part II – If your coverage happens to be employer-sponsored, this part will identify the employer.
Part III – This section identifies the insurance company who is providing the coverage.
Part IV – This is easily the most extensive part of the form. Part IV lists the people in your household who are covered by the insurance. Be aware that for each name, there is a box that will be checked if the person was covered for all 12 months of the year. If that person wasn’t covered for the entire year, there is a box for each month. Again, there will be a penalty assessed with partial coverage (in the majority of cases).

Why Form 1095-B is So Important

Submitting Form 1095-B is proof that you had coverage required by the Affordable Care Act. But what about the penalties? If you fail to file correct information returns or fail to furnish a correct employee statement, you may be subject to a penalty. Gaps in coverage of three months or less are exempt from the penalty. With that said, the IRS will not impose a penalty for filing incorrect and/or incomplete information if the filer/employer has made the effort to comply with reporting requirements. Those who are uninsured may still be able to avoid a tax penalty if they have an exemption. These are available for several reasons such as financial hardship and membership in certain groups.

As far as the deadline is concerned, you must file Form 1095-B by the end of February. However, if filing electronically, the deadline is the end of March. Employees must be provided their copies by the end of January.

Why Choose Us for Online E-Filing?

OnlineFileTaxes.com is an e-file provider approved by the Internal Revenue Service. With us, you can quickly and easily e-file 1099 forms. Feel at ease knowing that your online files will be electronically sent to the IRS for fast, efficient, and hassle-free filing. Whether you’re a business owner, CPA, accounting professional, or individual, you can reap the benefits of OnlineFileTaxes.com.

There are plenty of e-file options out there. So why choose us? For one, you can easily manage all of your 1099 tax forms with our do-it yourself online service. Why worry about mailing delays and spending countless hours filling out lengthy forms. OnlineFileTaxes.com does the following:

Allows you to process any number of forms seamlessly and economically
Removes the need to buy and complete a myriad of forms
Eliminates the need to invest in any software
Takes away any administrative and IT Costs associated with end-of-year 1099 processing
Prints, mails, and electronically files with the IRS once the forms are completed
Supports uploading Excel files as opposed to manually filling out forms and being more susceptible to making a mistake

How to E-File

Take your pick between three convenient options:

E-File + print + mail – Let us take care of your e-filing needs with the IRS. We will also print and mail (or e-deliver) copies to recipients.
E-file only – Maybe you have already provided copies to your recipients and just want us to report to the IRS. If that’s the case, this is the ideal choice.
Print and mail only – Allow us to print and mail recipient copies. It could be that you have previously submitted information to the IRS but want us to provide recipient copies. In this instance, this third option makes the most sense.

Whether you want to e-file W-2 Forms, 1098-MA, 1095-C, or 1095-B, we can help. Get started e-filing today.

How to E-File

Take your pick between three convenient options:

E-File + print + mail – Let us take care of your e-filing needs with the IRS. We will also print and mail (or e-deliver) copies to recipients.
E-file only – Maybe you have already provided copies to your recipients and just want us to report to the IRS. If that’s the case, this is the ideal choice.
Print and mail only – Allow us to print and mail recipient copies. It could be that you have previously submitted information to the IRS but want us to provide recipient copies. In this instance, this third option makes the most sense.

Whether you want to e-file W-2 Forms, 1098, 1099-MISC, 1095-C, or 1095-B, we can help. Get started e-filing today.

Important Deadline Changes for W-2, W-3, and 1099-MISC

The IRS (Internal Revenue Service) has changed the guidelines for the filing of W-2, W-3, and 1099-MISC forms. These changes impact companies of all sizes. It’s important for businesses to be aware of any amendments to remain compliant and to avoid costly penalties.

PATH Act Implications

The PATH (Protecting Against Tax Hikes) Act is a new bill passed in 2015. The bill alters the deadlines of three forms – W-2, W-3, and 1099-MISC – and their variations. Organizations now have less time to make corrections or validate the data they used to complete the forms. The reduced timeframe could lead to more errors which could increase tax penalties at the new higher rates.

The tax information reporting requirements are becoming increasingly difficult for organizations. The reasons include the addition of new forms, changes to existing forms, new deadlines, and the amendments to tax codes, to name just a few. Also, one minor change has a ripple effect and leads to necessary adjustments in other areas. Not only is it more time-consuming to remain compliant, but it is also more expensive. Many companies don’t have staff with the expertise to handle all of these changes efficiently. The reduced timeframe could lead to more errors which could increase tax penalties at the new higher rates

Changes in Filing of W-2 and W-3

The new due date for filing W-2 and W-3 with the SSA (Social Security Administration) is January 31, 2017. The filing due date also pertains to Forms W-2AS, W-2CM, W-2GU, W-2VI, and W-3SS. The filing date is the same whether you file electronically or mail out paper forms.

An extension to file Form W-2 with the SSA is no longer automatic. Companies now have to request a one-time 30-day extension. However, the IRS rarely permits an extension unless there is an extreme situation that prevents compliance by the due date.

There are now higher penalties for tax returns filed after Dec. 31, 2015. The penalty amount is adjusted for inflation.

Changes for Filing Form 1099-MISC

For the filing of Form 1099-MISC, the new due date is Jan. 31. 2017 if companies are reporting nonemployee compensation payments using Box 7. If companies do not report on Box 7, the deadline for filing a paper 1099-MISC forms is Feb. 28, 2017, and March 31, 2017, for filing electronically.

For electronic filing, companies need to use the FIRE (Filing Information Returns Electronically) System provided by the IRS. FIRE is only for the transmittal of forms. It allows fill-ins for only two forms, one of which is Form 8809, Application for Extension of Time to File Information Returns.

If a company needs an extension for filing the 1099-MISC, it must make a request by the deadline. A 30-day extension is granted only in extreme cases. It’s important to file the 1099-MISC by the due date because the penalties continue to increase.

As tax information reporting becomes more complicated, companies struggle to keep up-to-date with the new ever changing requirements. The PATH Act has added a new layer of compliance with the altered deadlines for W-2, W-3, and 1099-MISC forms.

At www.OnlineFileTaxes.com we strive to provide you a timely service at very affordable prices.

Counting Your Workers Mid-Year for Better ACA Compliance

As part of the ACA (Affordable Care Act), large employers have to provide affordable health care plans to full-time employees or FTEs. The companies also have to report health coverage information on an annual return to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS.) With employee turnovers and changes in staffing, it’s a good idea to count the number of employees you have at the mid-year mark to determine who qualifies as a full-time employee. By doing this, your company is in a better position to remain compliant with the ACA reporting requirements.

Definitions of Employee and Large Employer

An employee performs services for a company, and the employer has the right to control and manage that individual. The employee is told by a supervisor what work is to be performed, and when, where and how that work is to be completed.

An applicable large employer (or ALE) is defined as a company with 50 or more full time employees. A FTE is a person who works 30 or more hours each week on average, or 130 hours or more each month.

Mid-Year Checklist

As part of operations, companies have to plan and budget for the coming year. This includes new hires and staffing costs. The mid-year mark is the perfect time to assess the status of every person who works for your company. This assessment tells you who in your company qualifies to be considered an employee and whether they are a full-time employee.

Keeping track of your workforce helps you to reduce costs by avoiding tax penalties. For companies that don’t offer affordable health coverage to at least 95 percent of its full-time employees, the IRS will impose penalties. The penalties can be huge if a full-time employee gets a premium tax credit from the federal government to buy health insurance coverage from an ACA exchange.

Independent Contractors

If your company uses independent contractors who work long-term and whose work is essential for your business, they may be considered employees. You have to carefully assess these independent contractors, especially if you are close to having 50 full-time employees. You also have to take into consideration the fact that adding them to your workforce might result in your failure to offer health insurance to at least 95% of your full-time employee. Employers also need to look closely at any independent contractor uses a Social Security number as the Taxpayer ID number. By scrutinizing accounts payable records, employers have a better understanding of how to categorize their workers.

Temporary Employees

If you have temporary employees working in your company, you need to review your contract with the staffing agency to determine if you or the staffing firm is the employer. You also need to know if these temps are covered under your health care plan or should be. Alternatively, the temporary, part-time, seasonal and variable-hour employees may be covered under the staffing agency that employs them. In some situations, you can take credit for health coverage if the third-party staffing agency offers these workers minimal essential coverage and also charges you an additional fee any temp that accepts health coverage.

Another important issue is that temporary employees, whether full-time or part-time, are included when calculating full-time equivalents to determine if your company is an applicable large employer. Proper assessment of temporary employees who work full-time will determine if you offer 95% of your full-time employees health coverage.

If you use a temporary staffing agency, the IRS usually deems the workers to be employees of the staffing agency and not your company. However, you need to do your due diligence and review all contracts with a temp staffing agency to ensure that you are not in a PEO arrangement.

Professional Employment Organization

Many large companies hire a Professional Employment Organization (PEO) for the hiring of new employees while also taking care of payroll, employee benefits, and other human resources services. You need to review your contact with the PEO to make certain the organization provides affordable health insurance to each full-time employee the PEO provided for your company. The PEO should charge you a fee for any employee who elects to receive health coverage. This arrangement between a PEO and your company complicates ACA compliance. It’s a good idea to seek legal advice to ensure you and the PEO meet all ACA requirements.

Other Issues with Staffing Companies

Many different staffing arrangement models exist, and this has an impact on how staffing agencies and their clients report health coverage and workforce numbers. The third-party staffing company complicates matters because different approaches are necessary to ensure compliance. For example, some large employers recruit new hires and then refer them to a staffing agency that acts as the worker’s employer. As the employer, the staffing agency is responsible for payroll and benefits. For the IRS, this type of hiring process is a grey area and often results in more scrutiny of your annual returns. You should analyze the pros and cons of such a staffing relationship.

With the ACA laws being so complex, it’s essential that you categorize every worker properly to ensure that your company is in compliance with all the ACA rules and regulations.