Information Reporting for Affordable Insurance Exchanges, 39644-39649 [2013-15943]
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 127 / Tuesday, July 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
(g) Budget Plan
The RICE’s Strategic Operational Plan
shall include or reference a Budget Plan
that:
(1) Identifies who supports the RICE
financially;
(2) Outlines the RICE’s plans and
strategies for diversifying funding
sources and opportunities;
(3) Identifies how RICE priorities
guide funding decisions; and
(4) Assesses funding constraints and
the associated risks to the observing
System that the RICE must address for
the future.
§ 997.24
Gaps Identification.
(a) To become certified, a RICE must
identify gaps in observation coverage
needs for capital improvements of
Federal assets and non-Federal assets of
the System, or other recommendations
to assist in the development of annual
and long-terms plans and transmit such
information to the Interagency Ocean
Observing Committee via the Program
Office[.] 33 U.S.C. 3603(c)(4)(A)(ii).
(b) The RICE application shall
(1) Document that the RICE’s asset
inventory contains up-to-date
information. This could be
demonstrated by a database or portal
accessible for public viewing and
capable of producing a regional
summary of observing capacity;
(2) Provide a regional Build-out Plan
that identifies the regional priorities for
products and services, based on its
understanding of regional needs, and a
description of the integrated system
(observations, modeling, data
management, product development,
outreach, and R&D). The RICE shall
review and update the Build-out Plan at
least once every five years; and
(3) Document the priority regional
gaps in observation coverage needs, as
determined by an analysis of the RICE
asset inventory and Build-out Plan. The
RICE shall review and update the
analysis of priority regional gaps in
observation coverage needs at least once
every five years.
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§ 997.25
Financial Oversight.
(a) To become certified, a RICE must
comply with all financial oversight
requirements established by the
Administrator, including requirement
relating to audits. 33 U.S.C.
3603(c)(4)(A)(v).
(b) The RICE’s application shall
document compliance with the terms
and conditions set forth in 2 CFR Part
215—Uniform Administrative
Requirements for Grants and
Agreements with Institutions of Higher
Education, Hospitals, and Other Nonprofit Organizations, Subpart C—Post
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Award Requirements. This Subpart
prescribes standards for financial
management systems, among others.
(Compliance with this criterion can be
demonstrated by referencing any
existing grant, cooperative agreement, or
contract the RICE has with NOAA.)
(c) The RICE shall document annually
the RICE’s operating and maintenance
costs for all observing platforms and
sensors, etc., owned and/or operated by
the RICE.
§§ 997.26 through 997.29
§ 997.30
[Reserved]
Civil Liability.
(a) For purposes of determining
liability arising from the dissemination
and use of observation data gathered
pursuant to the ICOOS Act and these
regulations, any non-Federal asset or
regional information coordination entity
incorporated into the System by
contract, lease, grant, or cooperative
agreement that is participating in the
System shall be considered to be part of
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration. Any employee of such
a non-Federal asset or regional
information coordination entity, while
operating within the scope of his or her
employment in carrying out the
purposes of this subtitle, with respect to
tort liability, is deemed to be an
employee of the Federal Government.
(b) The ICOOS Act’s grant of civil
liability protection (and thus the RICE’s
limited status as part of NOAA) applies
only to a RICE that:
(1) Is participating in the System,
meaning the RICE has been certified by
NOAA in accordance with the ICOOS
Act and these regulations; and
(2) has been integrated into the
System by contract, lease, grant or
cooperative agreement with NOAA.
(c) An ’’employee’’ of a regional
information coordination entity is an
individual who satisfies all of the
following requirements:
(1) The individual is employed or
contracted by a certified RICE that has
been integrated into the System by
contract, lease, grant or cooperative
agreement with NOAA, and that is
participating in the System, as defined
in § 997.30(b), above;
(2) The individual is identified by the
RICE, as required in § 997.23(d)(3), as
one of three individuals responsible for
the collection, management, or
dissemination of ocean, coastal, and
Great Lakes observation data; and
(3) The individual is responsive to
federal government control.
(d) The protection afforded to
employees of a RICE with regard to
liability applies only to specific
individuals employed or contracted by
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a RICE who meet the requirements of
997.30(c) and who are responsible for
the collection, management, or
dissemination of ocean, coastal, and
Great Lakes observation data. The RICE
must identify to NOAA’s satisfaction:
(1) The individual responsible for
overall system management, (2) as
applicable, the individual responsible
for observations system management,
and (3) the individual responsible for
management of data operations. In
accepting certification, the RICE will
concede to NOAA the power to ensure
these individuals comply with the
requirements of the program regulations
in their daily operations and that they
are responsive to NOAA through the
agreement the RICE has with NOAA.
[FR Doc. 2013–15823 Filed 7–1–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–JE–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Internal Revenue Service
26 CFR Part 1
[REG–140789–12]
RIN 1545–BL42
Information Reporting for Affordable
Insurance Exchanges
Internal Revenue Service (IRS),
Treasury.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
AGENCY:
This document contains
proposed regulations relating to
requirements for Affordable Insurance
Exchanges (Exchanges) to report
information relating to the health
insurance premium tax credit enacted
by the Patient Protection and Affordable
Care Act and the Health Care and
Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.
These proposed regulations affect
Exchanges that make qualified health
plans available to individuals and
employers.
SUMMARY:
Written (including electronic)
comments and requests for a public
hearing must be received by September
3, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Send submissions to:
CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG–140789–12), Room
5203, Internal Revenue Service, P.O.
Box 7604, Ben Franklin Station,
Washington, DC 20044. Submissions
may be hand-delivered Monday through
Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and
4 p.m. to CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG–140789–
12), Courier’s Desk, Internal Revenue
Service, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW.,
Washington, DC, or sent electronically
via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at
DATES:
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www.regulations.gov (IRS REG–140789–
12).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Concerning the proposed regulations,
Arvind Ravichandran, (202) 622–4920;
concerning the submission of
comments, and/or requests for a public
hearing, Oluwafunmilayo Taylor, (202)
622–7180 (not toll-free calls).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Paperwork Reduction Act
The collection of information
contained in this notice of proposed
rulemaking is covered under OMB
Control Number 1545–2232 and will be
submitted to the Office of Management
and Budget in accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 3507(d)).Comments on the
collection of information should be sent
to the Office of Management and
Budget, Attn: Desk Officer for the
Department of the Treasury, Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Washington, DC 20503, with copies to
the Internal Revenue Service, Attn: IRS
Reports Clearance Officer,
SE:W:CAR:MP:T:T:SP, Washington, DC
20224. Comments on the collection of
information should be received by
September 3, 2013. Comments are
specifically requested concerning:
Whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the IRS,
including whether the information will
have practical utility;
How the quality, utility, and clarity of
the information to be collected may be
enhanced;
How the burden of complying with
the proposed collection of information
may be minimized, including through
the application of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information
technology; and
Estimates of capital or start-up costs
and costs of operation, maintenance,
and purchase of services to provide
information.
The collection of information in these
proposed regulations is in § 1.36B–5 and
will be reported on Form 1095–A. The
collection of information is necessary to
compute the premium tax credit and to
reconcile the amount of the premium
tax credit with advance credit payments
made under section 1412 of the Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act (42
U.S.C. 18082). The collection of
information is required to comply with
the provisions of section 36B(f)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code (Code). The
likely respondents are Exchanges
established under section 1311 or 1321
of the Patient Protection and Affordable
Care Act (42 U.S.C. 13031 or 42 U.S.C.
18041).
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The estimated total annual reporting
burden is 12,060 hours. The estimated
annual burden per respondent is 670
hours and the estimated number of
respondents is 18.
An agency may not conduct or
sponsor, and a person is not required to
respond to, a collection of information
unless it displays a valid control
number assigned by the Office of
Management and Budget.
Background
Beginning in 2014, under the Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act,
Public Law 111–148 (124 Stat. 119
(2010)), and the Health Care and
Education Reconciliation Act of 2010,
Public Law 111–152 (124 Stat. 1029
(2010)) (collectively, the Affordable Care
Act), individuals and small businesses
will be able to purchase private health
insurance through competitive
marketplaces called Exchanges (also
called Health Insurance Marketplaces).
Section 1401 of the Affordable Care Act
enacted section 36B, allowing a
refundable premium tax credit to help
individuals and families afford health
insurance purchased through an
Exchange. The section 36B credit makes
health insurance affordable by reducing
a taxpayer’s out-of-pocket premium
cost.
Under section 1411 of the Affordable
Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18081), an Exchange
makes an advance determination of
credit eligibility for individuals
enrolling in coverage through the
Exchange and seeking financial
assistance. Using information available
at the time of enrollment, the Exchange
determines (1) whether the individual
meets the income and other
requirements for advance credit
payments, and (2) the amount of the
advance payments. Advance credit
payments are made monthly under
section 1412 of the Affordable Care Act
(42 U.S.C. 18082) to the issuer of the
qualified health plan in which the
individual enrolls.
Under section 36B(f)(1), taxpayers
who receive advance credit payments
must reconcile the amount of the
advance payment with the amount of
the premium tax credit computed on the
taxpayer’s income tax return. A taxpayer
who receives excess advance payments
must treat the excess amount as
additional tax under section 36B(f)(2).
Taxpayers whose credit amount exceeds
the amount of advance payments for the
taxable year may receive the excess as
additional credit. Taxpayers who do not
seek advance credit payments also may
claim the premium tax credit on the
income tax return.
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Section 36B(f)(3) directs Exchanges to
report to the IRS and to taxpayers
certain information required to
reconcile the premium tax credit with
advance credit payments and to
administer the premium tax credit
generally. The required information
relates to the enrollment of a taxpayer
and taxpayer’s family in a qualified
health plan through the Exchange and
includes (1) the level of coverage, (2)
identifying information for the primary
insured and each enrollee, (3) the
amount of premiums and advance credit
payments for the coverage, (4)
information (concerning, for example, a
change in circumstances) provided to
the Exchange necessary to determine
eligibility for and the amount of the
credit, and (5) other information
necessary to determine if a taxpayer has
received the appropriate advance credit
payments.
Final regulations under section 36B
(TD 9590) were issued on May 23, 2012
(77 FR 30377). Section 1.36B–5
identifies the information (primarily
based on the statutory language) that
Exchanges must report to the IRS and
taxpayers and indicates that the time
and manner requirements for reporting
this information would be provided in
subsequent guidance. Accordingly,
these proposed regulations amend
§ 1.36B–5, propose detailed rules for
information reporting by Exchanges,
and describe specific information that
has been identified since publication of
the final regulations that is necessary for
efficient tax administration.
Explanation of Provisions
1. Information Reporting to the IRS
a. Information Required To Be Reported
The proposed regulations require
Exchanges to report information
concerning individuals enrolled in
qualified health plans, including the
monthly amount of advance credit
payments, if any. Consistent with the
statute, the proposed regulations require
Exchanges to report taxpayer
identification numbers. It is anticipated
that Exchanges will report only Social
Security numbers and provide an
individual’s date of birth if a Social
Security number is not available.
b. Time and Manner of Reporting
The proposed regulations require
Exchanges to report the specified
information for each qualified health
plan electronically to the IRS on an
annual and, to facilitate efficient tax
administration, a monthly basis, and
specify the information that must be
reported in each category. Under the
proposed regulations, Exchanges must
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make a monthly report to the IRS on or
before the fifteenth day of the month
following the month of coverage. The
information reported monthly will be
cumulative, containing monthly data for
each month beginning with January
through the most recent completed
month. For example, information
reported in September will contain
information for each month from
January through August. The annual
report for the calendar year must be
made on or before January 31 of the year
following the year of coverage.
Information for more than one tax
household will be on the same annual
report if the individuals enroll in one
qualified health plan.
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2. Statements Furnished to Taxpayers or
Responsible Adults
The proposed regulations direct
Exchanges to furnish to each taxpayer or
responsible adult who enrolled, or
whose family member enrolled, in a
qualified health plan through the
Exchange a written statement that
includes the information the Exchange
must report to the IRS annually.
Exchanges may use Form 1095–A for
this statement and must furnish the
statement on or before January 31 of the
year following the calendar year of
coverage.
Section 36B(f)(3) and the proposed
regulations require that Exchanges
furnish statements only to the
individual identified to the Exchange as
the taxpayer or the responsible adult.
Section 36B information reporting may
be included in the IRS truncated
taxpayer identification number program,
see proposed regulations at 78 FR 913
(January 7, 2013). Comments are
requested on whether and under what
circumstances Exchanges should
furnish a statement to another
individual (who may, for example,
require the statement to determine tax
liability).
The proposed regulations permit
electronic delivery of statements to the
taxpayer or responsible adult if the
taxpayer or responsible adult consents.
The IRS plans to make educational
materials available to taxpayers to
explain the multiple statements
taxpayers may receive under sections
6055, 6056, and 36B.
Effective/Applicability Date
These regulations are proposed to
apply for taxable years ending after
December 31, 2013. Exchanges and
taxpayers may apply these proposed
regulations until publication of final
regulations or other guidance. The need
for additional transition relief will be
considered at that time.
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Special Analyses
It has been determined that this notice
of proposed rulemaking is not a
significant regulatory action as defined
in Executive Order 12866, as
supplemented by Executive Order
13563. Therefore, a regulatory
assessment is not required. It has also
been determined that section 553(b) of
the Administrative Procedure Act (5
U.S.C. chapter 5) does not apply to these
regulations, and, because the regulations
do not impose a collection of
information requirement on small
entities, the Regulatory Flexibility Act
(5 U.S.C. chapter 6) does not apply.
Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Code,
this notice of proposed rulemaking has
been submitted to the Chief Counsel for
Advocacy of the Small Business
Administration for comment on its
impact on small business.
Comments and Requests for Public
Hearing
Before these proposed regulations are
adopted as final regulations,
consideration will be given to any
comments that are submitted timely to
the IRS as prescribed in this preamble
under the ADDRESSES heading. The
Treasury Department and the IRS
request comments on all aspects of the
proposed rules. All comments will be
available at www.regulations.gov or
upon request. A public hearing will be
scheduled if requested in writing by any
person who timely submits written
comments. If a public hearing is
scheduled, notice of the date, time and
place for the hearing will be published
in the Federal Register.
Drafting Information
The principal authors of these
proposed regulations are Shareen S.
Pflanz and Stephen J. Toomey of the
Office of Associate Chief Counsel
(Income Tax and Accounting). However,
other personnel from the IRS and the
Treasury Department participated in the
development of the regulations.
List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 1
Income taxes, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
Proposed Amendments to the
Regulations
Accordingly, 26 CFR part 1 is
proposed to be amended as follows:
PART 1—INCOME TAXES
Paragraph 1. The authority citation
for part 1 is amended by adding entries
in numerical order to read in part as
follows:
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Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *
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Section 1.36B–0 also issued under 26
U.S.C. 36B(g).
Section 1.36B–5 also issued under 26
U.S.C. 36B(g).
Par. 2. Section 1.36B–0 is amended by
revising the entries for § 1.36B–5 to read
as follows:
■
§ 1.36B–0
Table of Contents.
*
*
*
*
*
§ 1.36B–5 Information Reporting by
Exchanges.
(a) In general.
(b) Information required to be
reported.
(1) Information reported annually.
(2) Information reported monthly.
(c) Alternative to reporting applicable
benchmark plan.
(d) Electronic filing.
(e) Annual statement to be furnished
to taxpayer.
(1) In general.
(2) Form of the statement.
(3) Time and manner for furnishing
statements.
(f) Electronic furnishing of statements.
(1) In general.
(2) Consent.
(i) In general.
(ii) Withdrawal of consent.
(iii) Change in hardware or software
requirements.
(iv) Examples.
(3) Required disclosures.
(i) In general.
(ii) Paper statement.
(iii) Scope and duration of consent.
(iv) Post-consent request for a paper
statement.
(v) Withdrawal of consent.
(vi) Notice of termination.
(vii) Updating information.
(viii) Hardware and software
requirements.
(4) Format.
(5) Notice.
(i) In general.
(ii) Undeliverable electronic address.
(iii) Corrected statement.
(6) Access period.
(7) Paper statements after withdrawal
of consent.
(g) Effective/applicability date.
■ Par. 3. Section 1.36B–5 is revised to
read as follows:
§ 1.36B–5 Information reporting by
Exchanges.
(a) In general. An Exchange must
report to the Internal Revenue Service
(IRS) information required by section
36B(f)(3) and this section relating to the
qualified health plans in which
individuals enroll.
(b) Information required to be
reported—(1) Information reported
annually. An Exchange must report to
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the Internal Revenue Service on or
before January 31 of the year following
the calendar year of coverage the
following information for each qualified
health plan in which an individual or a
member of the individual’s family
enrolls through the Exchange—
(i) The name, address, and taxpayer
identification number (TIN), or date of
birth if a TIN is not available, of an
individual enrolling, or enrolling a
family member, in coverage and
approved for advance credit payments
(taxpayer), and the name and TIN of the
individual’s spouse, if applicable;
(ii) The name, address, and TIN, or
date of birth if a TIN is not available, of
an adult enrolling in coverage or
enrolling one or more members of a
family in coverage and either not
requesting or not approved for advance
credit payments (responsible adult);
(iii) The name and TIN, or date of
birth if a TIN is not available, and dates
of coverage for each individual covered
under the plan;
(iv) The monthly premium for the
applicable benchmark plan used to
compute advance credit payments;
(v) For a responsible adult, the
premium for the applicable benchmark
plan that would apply to the individuals
enrolled in a qualified health plan;
(vi) The monthly premium for the
plan or plans in which a taxpayer,
responsible adult, or family member
enrolls, without reduction for advance
credit payments, including the amount
of premiums for a stand-alone dental
plan allocated to pediatric dental
benefits;
(vii) The amount of the advance credit
payments made on a taxpayer’s behalf
each month;
(viii) The name of the qualified health
plan issuer and the issuer’s employer
identification number (EIN);
(ix) The qualified health plan policy
number;
(x) The Exchange’s unique identifier;
and
(xi) Any other information specified
by forms or instructions or in published
guidance, see § 601.601(d) of this
chapter.
(2) Information reported monthly. For
each calendar month, an Exchange must
report to the Internal Revenue Service,
on or before the fifteenth day following
each month of coverage, the information
described in paragraph (b)(1) of this
section and the following information—
(i) Whether the individuals enrolled
in the qualified health plan are the
taxpayer’s dependents;
(ii) Information on employment (to
the extent this information is provided
to the Exchange) consisting of—
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(A) The name, address, and EIN of
each employer of the taxpayer,
taxpayer’s spouse, and each individual
covered by the qualified health plan or
plans; and
(B) An indication of whether an
employer offered minimum essential
coverage, and, if so, the amount of the
employee’s required contribution for
self-only coverage and the Exchange’s
determination of whether the employer
coverage was affordable and provided
minimum value;
(iii) The unique number that
identifies the specific account of the
taxpayer or responsible individual to
enable data association from month to
month;
(iv) The name and TIN, or date of
birth if a TIN is not available, of each
individual for whom the Exchange has
granted an exemption from coverage
under section 5000A(e) and the related
regulations, the months for which the
exemption is in effect, and the
exemption certificate number; and
(v) Any other information specified by
forms or instructions or in published
guidance, see § 601.601(d) of this
chapter.
(c) Alternative to reporting applicable
benchmark plan. An Exchange satisfies
the requirement in paragraph (b)(1)(v) of
this section if, on or before January 1 of
each year after 2014, the Exchange
provides a reasonable method that any
individual may use to determine the
premium for the applicable benchmark
plan that applies to the individual’s
coverage family for the prior calendar
year for purposes of determining the
individual’s premium tax credit.
(d) Electronic filing. An Exchange
must submit the reports to the IRS
required under this section in electronic
format. The information reported
monthly will be submitted to the IRS
through the Department of Health and
Human Services.
(e) Annual statement to be furnished
to taxpayer—(1) In general. An
Exchange must furnish to each taxpayer
or responsible adult who enrolled, or
whose family member enrolled, in a
qualified health plan through the
Exchange a written statement showing—
(i) The name and address of the
taxpayer or responsible adult; and
(ii) The information described in
paragraph (b)(1) of this section for the
previous calendar year.
(2) Form of the statement. A statement
required under this paragraph (e) may
be made by furnishing to the taxpayer
or responsible adult identified in the
annual report a copy of the report filed
with the IRS or on a substitute
statement. A substitute statement must
include the information required to be
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39647
shown on the report filed with the IRS
and must comply with requirements in
published guidance (see § 601.601(d)(2)
of this chapter) relating to substitute
statements. An IRS truncated taxpayer
identifying number may be used as the
identifying number for an individual in
lieu of the identifying number appearing
on the corresponding information report
filed with the IRS.
(3) Time and manner for furnishing
statements. An Exchange must furnish
the statements required under this
paragraph (e) on or before January 31 of
the year following the calendar year of
coverage. If mailed, the statement must
be sent to the taxpayer’s or responsible
person’s last known permanent address
or, if no permanent address is known,
to the taxpayer’s or responsible person’s
temporary address. An Exchange may
furnish the statement electronically in
accordance with paragraph (f) of this
section.
(f) Electronic furnishing of
statements—(1) In general. An Exchange
required to furnish a statement under
paragraph (e) of this section may furnish
the statement to the taxpayer or
responsible adult (recipient) in an
electronic format in lieu of a paper
format. An Exchange that meets the
requirements of paragraphs (f)(2)
through (7) of this section is treated as
furnishing the statement in a timely
manner.
(2) Consent—(i) In general. A
recipient must have affirmatively
consented to receive the statement in an
electronic format. The consent may be
made electronically in any manner that
reasonably demonstrates that the
recipient is able to access the statement
in the electronic format in which it will
be furnished. Alternatively, the consent
may be made in a paper document that
is confirmed electronically.
(ii) Withdrawal of consent. An
Exchange may provide that the
withdrawal of consent takes effect either
on the date the Exchange receives it or
on another date no more than 60 days
later. The Exchange may provide that a
request by the recipient for a paper
statement will be treated as a
withdrawal of consent to receive the
statement in an electronic format. If the
Exchange furnishes a statement after the
withdrawal of consent takes effect, the
recipient has not consented to receive
the statement in electronic format.
(iii) Change in hardware or software
requirements. If a change in the
hardware or software required to access
the statement creates a material risk that
a recipient will not be able to access a
statement, an Exchange must, prior to
changing the hardware or software,
notify the recipient. The notice must
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describe the revised hardware and
software required to access the
statement and inform the recipient that
a new consent to receive the statement
in the revised electronic format must be
provided to the Exchange. After
implementing the revised hardware and
software, the Exchange must obtain a
new consent or confirmation of consent
from the recipient to receive the
statement electronically.
(iv) Examples. The following
examples illustrate the rules of this
paragraph (f)(2):
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Example 1. Furnisher F sends Recipient R
a letter stating that R may consent to receive
the statement required under section 36B
electronically on a Web site instead of in a
paper format. The letter contains instructions
explaining how to consent to receive the
statement electronically by accessing the
Web site, downloading and completing the
consent document, and emailing the
completed consent to F. The consent
document posted on the Web site uses the
same electronic format that F will use for the
electronically furnished statement. R reads
the instructions and submits the consent in
the manner provided in the instructions. R
has consented to receive the statement
required under section 36B electronically in
the manner described in paragraph (f)(2)(i) of
this section.
Example 2. Furnisher F sends Recipient R
an email stating that R may consent to
receive the statement required under section
36B electronically instead of in a paper
format. The email contains an attachment
instructing R how to consent to receive the
statement required under section 36B
electronically. The email attachment uses the
same electronic format that F will use for the
electronically furnished statement. R opens
the attachment, reads the instructions, and
submits the consent in the manner provided
in the instructions. R has consented to
receive the statement required under section
36B electronically in the manner described in
paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section.
Example 3. Furnisher F posts a notice on
its Web site stating that Recipient R may
receive the statement required under section
36B electronically instead of in a paper
format. The Web site contains instructions on
how R may access a secure Web page and
consent to receive the statements
electronically. R accesses the secure Web
page and follows the instructions for giving
consent. R has consented to receive the
statement required under section 36B
electronically in the manner described in
paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section.
(3) Required disclosures—(i) In
general. Prior to, or at the time of, an
individual’s consent, an Exchange must
provide to the individual a clear and
conspicuous disclosure statement
containing each of the disclosures
described in paragraphs (f)(3)(ii)
through (viii) of this section.
(ii) Paper statement. An Exchange
must inform the recipient that the
statement will be furnished on paper if
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the recipient does not consent to receive
it electronically.
(iii) Scope and duration of consent.
An Exchange must inform the recipient
of the scope and duration of the
consent. For example, the Exchange
must inform the recipient whether the
consent applies to each statement
required to be furnished after the
consent is given until it is withdrawn or
only to the first statement required to be
furnished following the consent.
(iv) Post-consent request for a paper
statement. An Exchange must inform
the recipient of any procedure for
obtaining a paper copy of the recipient’s
statement after giving the consent
described in paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this
section and whether a request for a
paper statement will be treated as a
withdrawal of consent.
(v) Withdrawal of consent. An
Exchange must inform the recipient
that—
(A) The recipient may withdraw
consent by writing (electronically or on
paper) to the person or department
whose name, mailing address, telephone
number, and email address is provided
in the disclosure statement;
(B) An Exchange will confirm the
withdrawal and the date on which it
takes effect in writing (either
electronically or on paper); and
(C) A withdrawal of consent does not
apply to a statement that was furnished
electronically in the manner described
in this paragraph (f) before the date on
which the withdrawal of consent takes
effect.
(vi) Notice of termination. An
Exchange must inform the recipient of
the conditions under which the
Exchange will cease furnishing
statements electronically to the
recipient.
(vii) Updating information. An
Exchange must inform the recipient of
the procedures for updating the
information needed to contact the
recipient and notify the recipient of any
change in the Exchange’s contact
information.
(viii) Hardware and software
requirements. An Exchange must
provide the recipient with a description
of the hardware and software required
to access, print, and retain the
statement, and the date when the
statement will no longer be available on
the Web site. The Exchange must advise
the recipient that the statement may be
required to be printed and attached to
a Federal, State, or local income tax
return.
(4) Format. The electronic version of
the statement must contain all required
information and comply with applicable
published guidance (see § 601.601(d) of
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Frm 00017
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Sfmt 4702
this chapter) relating to substitute
statements to recipients.
(5) Notice—(i) In general. If a
statement is furnished on a Web site, the
Exchange must notify the recipient. The
notice may be delivered by mail,
electronic mail, or in person. The notice
must provide instructions on how to
access and print the statement and
include the following statement in
capital letters, ‘‘IMPORTANT TAX
RETURN DOCUMENT AVAILABLE.’’ If
the notice is provided by electronic
mail, this statement must be on the
subject line of the electronic mail.
(ii) Undeliverable electronic address.
If an electronic notice described in
paragraph (f)(5)(i) of this section is
returned as undeliverable, and the
Exchange cannot obtain the correct
electronic address from the Exchange’s
records or from the recipient, the
Exchange must furnish the notice by
mail or in person within 30 days after
the electronic notice is returned.
(iii) Corrected statement. An
Exchange must furnish a corrected
statement to the recipient electronically
if the original statement was furnished
electronically. If the original statement
was furnished through a Web site
posting, the Exchange must notify the
recipient that it has posted the corrected
statement on the Web site in the manner
described in paragraph (f)(5)(i) of this
section within 30 days of the posting.
The corrected statement or the notice
must be furnished by mail or in person
if—
(A) An electronic notice of the Web
site posting of an original statement or
the corrected statement was returned as
undeliverable; and
(B) The recipient has not provided a
new email address.
(6) Access period. Statements
furnished on a Web site must be
retained on the Web site through
October 15 of the year following the
calendar year to which the statements
relate (or the first business day after
October 15, if October 15 falls on a
Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday). The
furnisher must maintain access to
corrected statements that are posted on
the Web site through October 15 of the
year following the calendar year to
which the statements relate (or the first
business day after October 15, if October
15 falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal
holiday) or the date 90 days after the
corrected forms are posted, whichever is
later.
(7) Paper statements after withdrawal
of consent. An Exchange must furnish a
paper statement if a recipient withdraws
consent to receive a statement
electronically and the withdrawal takes
effect before the statement is furnished.
E:\FR\FM\02JYP1.SGM
02JYP1
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 127 / Tuesday, July 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules
A paper statement furnished under this
paragraph (f)(7) after the statement due
date is timely if furnished within 30
days after the date the Exchange
receives the withdrawal of consent.
(g) Effective/applicability date. This
section applies for taxable years ending
after December 31, 2013.
Beth Tucker,
Deputy Commissioner for Operations
Support.
[FR Doc. 2013–15943 Filed 6–28–13; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4830–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
21 CFR Part 890
[Docket No. FDA–2013–N–0568]
Physical Medicine Devices;
Reclassification of Stair-Climbing
Wheelchairs; Correction
AGENCY:
Food and Drug Administration,
HHS.
[FR Doc. 2013–15789 Filed 7–1–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160–01–P
36 CFR Part 1196
[Docket No. ATBCB–2013–0003]
RIN 3014–AA11
Passenger Vessels Accessibility
Guidelines
Correction
In proposed rule document 2013–
14367, appearing on pages 38102–38159
in the issue of Tuesday, June 25, 2013,
make the following correction:
PART 1196—PASSENGER VESSELS
ACCESSIBILITY GUIDELINES
[CORRECTED]
On page 38159, the figures titled as
‘‘Figure V703.7.2.2 International Symbol
of TTY’’ and ‘‘Figure V703.7.2.3
Assistive Listening Systems’’ were
inadvertently omitted after the figure
titled ‘‘Figure V703.7.2.1 International
Symbol of Accessibility’’ and are added
to read as set forth below:
EP02JY13.001
Proposed order; correction.
Dated: June 26, 2013.
Leslie Kux,
Assistant Commissioner for Policy.
ARCHITECTURAL AND
TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS
COMPLIANCE BOARD
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E:\FR\FM\02JYP1.SGM
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EP02JY13.000
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
ACTION:
The Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) is correcting a
proposed order that appeared in the
Federal Register of June 12, 2013 (78 FR
35173). The document proposed to
reclassify stair-climbing wheelchairs.
The document was published with
typographical errors in the DATES
section of the document. This document
corrects those errors.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Rebecca Nipper, Center for Devices and
Radiological Health, 10903 New
Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 66, Rm. 1540,
Silver Spring, MD 20993, 301–796–
6527.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the FR
Doc. 2013–13864, appearing on page
35173 in the Federal Register of
Wednesday, June 12, 2013, the
following correction is made.
On page 35173, in the third column,
the first sentence under DATES is
corrected to read ‘‘Submit either
electronic or written comments on this
proposed order by September 10, 2013.’’
SUMMARY:
39649
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 2, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 39644-39649]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-15943]
=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Internal Revenue Service
26 CFR Part 1
[REG-140789-12]
RIN 1545-BL42
Information Reporting for Affordable Insurance Exchanges
AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
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SUMMARY: This document contains proposed regulations relating to
requirements for Affordable Insurance Exchanges (Exchanges) to report
information relating to the health insurance premium tax credit enacted
by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care
and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. These proposed regulations
affect Exchanges that make qualified health plans available to
individuals and employers.
DATES: Written (including electronic) comments and requests for a
public hearing must be received by September 3, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Send submissions to: CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG-140789-12), Room
5203, Internal Revenue Service, P.O. Box 7604, Ben Franklin Station,
Washington, DC 20044. Submissions may be hand-delivered Monday through
Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG-
140789-12), Courier's Desk, Internal Revenue Service, 1111 Constitution
Avenue NW., Washington, DC, or sent electronically via the Federal
eRulemaking Portal at
[[Page 39645]]
www.regulations.gov (IRS REG-140789-12).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Concerning the proposed regulations,
Arvind Ravichandran, (202) 622-4920; concerning the submission of
comments, and/or requests for a public hearing, Oluwafunmilayo Taylor,
(202) 622-7180 (not toll-free calls).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Paperwork Reduction Act
The collection of information contained in this notice of proposed
rulemaking is covered under OMB Control Number 1545-2232 and will be
submitted to the Office of Management and Budget in accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507(d)).Comments on the
collection of information should be sent to the Office of Management
and Budget, Attn: Desk Officer for the Department of the Treasury,
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Washington, DC 20503,
with copies to the Internal Revenue Service, Attn: IRS Reports
Clearance Officer, SE:W:CAR:MP:T:T:SP, Washington, DC 20224. Comments
on the collection of information should be received by September 3,
2013. Comments are specifically requested concerning:
Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the
proper performance of the functions of the IRS, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
How the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be
collected may be enhanced;
How the burden of complying with the proposed collection of
information may be minimized, including through the application of
automated collection techniques or other forms of information
technology; and
Estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operation,
maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information.
The collection of information in these proposed regulations is in
Sec. 1.36B-5 and will be reported on Form 1095-A. The collection of
information is necessary to compute the premium tax credit and to
reconcile the amount of the premium tax credit with advance credit
payments made under section 1412 of the Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18082). The collection of information is
required to comply with the provisions of section 36B(f)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code (Code). The likely respondents are Exchanges
established under section 1311 or 1321 of the Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 13031 or 42 U.S.C. 18041).
The estimated total annual reporting burden is 12,060 hours. The
estimated annual burden per respondent is 670 hours and the estimated
number of respondents is 18.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid
control number assigned by the Office of Management and Budget.
Background
Beginning in 2014, under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care
Act, Public Law 111-148 (124 Stat. 119 (2010)), and the Health Care and
Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, Public Law 111-152 (124 Stat.
1029 (2010)) (collectively, the Affordable Care Act), individuals and
small businesses will be able to purchase private health insurance
through competitive marketplaces called Exchanges (also called Health
Insurance Marketplaces). Section 1401 of the Affordable Care Act
enacted section 36B, allowing a refundable premium tax credit to help
individuals and families afford health insurance purchased through an
Exchange. The section 36B credit makes health insurance affordable by
reducing a taxpayer's out-of-pocket premium cost.
Under section 1411 of the Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18081), an
Exchange makes an advance determination of credit eligibility for
individuals enrolling in coverage through the Exchange and seeking
financial assistance. Using information available at the time of
enrollment, the Exchange determines (1) whether the individual meets
the income and other requirements for advance credit payments, and (2)
the amount of the advance payments. Advance credit payments are made
monthly under section 1412 of the Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18082)
to the issuer of the qualified health plan in which the individual
enrolls.
Under section 36B(f)(1), taxpayers who receive advance credit
payments must reconcile the amount of the advance payment with the
amount of the premium tax credit computed on the taxpayer's income tax
return. A taxpayer who receives excess advance payments must treat the
excess amount as additional tax under section 36B(f)(2). Taxpayers
whose credit amount exceeds the amount of advance payments for the
taxable year may receive the excess as additional credit. Taxpayers who
do not seek advance credit payments also may claim the premium tax
credit on the income tax return.
Section 36B(f)(3) directs Exchanges to report to the IRS and to
taxpayers certain information required to reconcile the premium tax
credit with advance credit payments and to administer the premium tax
credit generally. The required information relates to the enrollment of
a taxpayer and taxpayer's family in a qualified health plan through the
Exchange and includes (1) the level of coverage, (2) identifying
information for the primary insured and each enrollee, (3) the amount
of premiums and advance credit payments for the coverage, (4)
information (concerning, for example, a change in circumstances)
provided to the Exchange necessary to determine eligibility for and the
amount of the credit, and (5) other information necessary to determine
if a taxpayer has received the appropriate advance credit payments.
Final regulations under section 36B (TD 9590) were issued on May
23, 2012 (77 FR 30377). Section 1.36B-5 identifies the information
(primarily based on the statutory language) that Exchanges must report
to the IRS and taxpayers and indicates that the time and manner
requirements for reporting this information would be provided in
subsequent guidance. Accordingly, these proposed regulations amend
Sec. 1.36B-5, propose detailed rules for information reporting by
Exchanges, and describe specific information that has been identified
since publication of the final regulations that is necessary for
efficient tax administration.
Explanation of Provisions
1. Information Reporting to the IRS
a. Information Required To Be Reported
The proposed regulations require Exchanges to report information
concerning individuals enrolled in qualified health plans, including
the monthly amount of advance credit payments, if any. Consistent with
the statute, the proposed regulations require Exchanges to report
taxpayer identification numbers. It is anticipated that Exchanges will
report only Social Security numbers and provide an individual's date of
birth if a Social Security number is not available.
b. Time and Manner of Reporting
The proposed regulations require Exchanges to report the specified
information for each qualified health plan electronically to the IRS on
an annual and, to facilitate efficient tax administration, a monthly
basis, and specify the information that must be reported in each
category. Under the proposed regulations, Exchanges must
[[Page 39646]]
make a monthly report to the IRS on or before the fifteenth day of the
month following the month of coverage. The information reported monthly
will be cumulative, containing monthly data for each month beginning
with January through the most recent completed month. For example,
information reported in September will contain information for each
month from January through August. The annual report for the calendar
year must be made on or before January 31 of the year following the
year of coverage. Information for more than one tax household will be
on the same annual report if the individuals enroll in one qualified
health plan.
2. Statements Furnished to Taxpayers or Responsible Adults
The proposed regulations direct Exchanges to furnish to each
taxpayer or responsible adult who enrolled, or whose family member
enrolled, in a qualified health plan through the Exchange a written
statement that includes the information the Exchange must report to the
IRS annually. Exchanges may use Form 1095-A for this statement and must
furnish the statement on or before January 31 of the year following the
calendar year of coverage.
Section 36B(f)(3) and the proposed regulations require that
Exchanges furnish statements only to the individual identified to the
Exchange as the taxpayer or the responsible adult. Section 36B
information reporting may be included in the IRS truncated taxpayer
identification number program, see proposed regulations at 78 FR 913
(January 7, 2013). Comments are requested on whether and under what
circumstances Exchanges should furnish a statement to another
individual (who may, for example, require the statement to determine
tax liability).
The proposed regulations permit electronic delivery of statements
to the taxpayer or responsible adult if the taxpayer or responsible
adult consents.
The IRS plans to make educational materials available to taxpayers
to explain the multiple statements taxpayers may receive under sections
6055, 6056, and 36B.
Effective/Applicability Date
These regulations are proposed to apply for taxable years ending
after December 31, 2013. Exchanges and taxpayers may apply these
proposed regulations until publication of final regulations or other
guidance. The need for additional transition relief will be considered
at that time.
Special Analyses
It has been determined that this notice of proposed rulemaking is
not a significant regulatory action as defined in Executive Order
12866, as supplemented by Executive Order 13563. Therefore, a
regulatory assessment is not required. It has also been determined that
section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 5)
does not apply to these regulations, and, because the regulations do
not impose a collection of information requirement on small entities,
the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) does not apply.
Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Code, this notice of proposed
rulemaking has been submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the
Small Business Administration for comment on its impact on small
business.
Comments and Requests for Public Hearing
Before these proposed regulations are adopted as final regulations,
consideration will be given to any comments that are submitted timely
to the IRS as prescribed in this preamble under the ADDRESSES heading.
The Treasury Department and the IRS request comments on all aspects of
the proposed rules. All comments will be available at
www.regulations.gov or upon request. A public hearing will be scheduled
if requested in writing by any person who timely submits written
comments. If a public hearing is scheduled, notice of the date, time
and place for the hearing will be published in the Federal Register.
Drafting Information
The principal authors of these proposed regulations are Shareen S.
Pflanz and Stephen J. Toomey of the Office of Associate Chief Counsel
(Income Tax and Accounting). However, other personnel from the IRS and
the Treasury Department participated in the development of the
regulations.
List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 1
Income taxes, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Proposed Amendments to the Regulations
Accordingly, 26 CFR part 1 is proposed to be amended as follows:
PART 1--INCOME TAXES
Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 1 is amended by adding
entries in numerical order to read in part as follows:
Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *
Section 1.36B-0 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 36B(g).
Section 1.36B-5 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 36B(g).
0
Par. 2. Section 1.36B-0 is amended by revising the entries for Sec.
1.36B-5 to read as follows:
Sec. 1.36B-0 Table of Contents.
* * * * *
Sec. 1.36B-5 Information Reporting by Exchanges.
(a) In general.
(b) Information required to be reported.
(1) Information reported annually.
(2) Information reported monthly.
(c) Alternative to reporting applicable benchmark plan.
(d) Electronic filing.
(e) Annual statement to be furnished to taxpayer.
(1) In general.
(2) Form of the statement.
(3) Time and manner for furnishing statements.
(f) Electronic furnishing of statements.
(1) In general.
(2) Consent.
(i) In general.
(ii) Withdrawal of consent.
(iii) Change in hardware or software requirements.
(iv) Examples.
(3) Required disclosures.
(i) In general.
(ii) Paper statement.
(iii) Scope and duration of consent.
(iv) Post-consent request for a paper statement.
(v) Withdrawal of consent.
(vi) Notice of termination.
(vii) Updating information.
(viii) Hardware and software requirements.
(4) Format.
(5) Notice.
(i) In general.
(ii) Undeliverable electronic address.
(iii) Corrected statement.
(6) Access period.
(7) Paper statements after withdrawal of consent.
(g) Effective/applicability date.
0
Par. 3. Section 1.36B-5 is revised to read as follows:
Sec. 1.36B-5 Information reporting by Exchanges.
(a) In general. An Exchange must report to the Internal Revenue
Service (IRS) information required by section 36B(f)(3) and this
section relating to the qualified health plans in which individuals
enroll.
(b) Information required to be reported--(1) Information reported
annually. An Exchange must report to
[[Page 39647]]
the Internal Revenue Service on or before January 31 of the year
following the calendar year of coverage the following information for
each qualified health plan in which an individual or a member of the
individual's family enrolls through the Exchange--
(i) The name, address, and taxpayer identification number (TIN), or
date of birth if a TIN is not available, of an individual enrolling, or
enrolling a family member, in coverage and approved for advance credit
payments (taxpayer), and the name and TIN of the individual's spouse,
if applicable;
(ii) The name, address, and TIN, or date of birth if a TIN is not
available, of an adult enrolling in coverage or enrolling one or more
members of a family in coverage and either not requesting or not
approved for advance credit payments (responsible adult);
(iii) The name and TIN, or date of birth if a TIN is not available,
and dates of coverage for each individual covered under the plan;
(iv) The monthly premium for the applicable benchmark plan used to
compute advance credit payments;
(v) For a responsible adult, the premium for the applicable
benchmark plan that would apply to the individuals enrolled in a
qualified health plan;
(vi) The monthly premium for the plan or plans in which a taxpayer,
responsible adult, or family member enrolls, without reduction for
advance credit payments, including the amount of premiums for a stand-
alone dental plan allocated to pediatric dental benefits;
(vii) The amount of the advance credit payments made on a
taxpayer's behalf each month;
(viii) The name of the qualified health plan issuer and the
issuer's employer identification number (EIN);
(ix) The qualified health plan policy number;
(x) The Exchange's unique identifier; and
(xi) Any other information specified by forms or instructions or in
published guidance, see Sec. 601.601(d) of this chapter.
(2) Information reported monthly. For each calendar month, an
Exchange must report to the Internal Revenue Service, on or before the
fifteenth day following each month of coverage, the information
described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section and the following
information--
(i) Whether the individuals enrolled in the qualified health plan
are the taxpayer's dependents;
(ii) Information on employment (to the extent this information is
provided to the Exchange) consisting of--
(A) The name, address, and EIN of each employer of the taxpayer,
taxpayer's spouse, and each individual covered by the qualified health
plan or plans; and
(B) An indication of whether an employer offered minimum essential
coverage, and, if so, the amount of the employee's required
contribution for self-only coverage and the Exchange's determination of
whether the employer coverage was affordable and provided minimum
value;
(iii) The unique number that identifies the specific account of the
taxpayer or responsible individual to enable data association from
month to month;
(iv) The name and TIN, or date of birth if a TIN is not available,
of each individual for whom the Exchange has granted an exemption from
coverage under section 5000A(e) and the related regulations, the months
for which the exemption is in effect, and the exemption certificate
number; and
(v) Any other information specified by forms or instructions or in
published guidance, see Sec. 601.601(d) of this chapter.
(c) Alternative to reporting applicable benchmark plan. An Exchange
satisfies the requirement in paragraph (b)(1)(v) of this section if, on
or before January 1 of each year after 2014, the Exchange provides a
reasonable method that any individual may use to determine the premium
for the applicable benchmark plan that applies to the individual's
coverage family for the prior calendar year for purposes of determining
the individual's premium tax credit.
(d) Electronic filing. An Exchange must submit the reports to the
IRS required under this section in electronic format. The information
reported monthly will be submitted to the IRS through the Department of
Health and Human Services.
(e) Annual statement to be furnished to taxpayer--(1) In general.
An Exchange must furnish to each taxpayer or responsible adult who
enrolled, or whose family member enrolled, in a qualified health plan
through the Exchange a written statement showing--
(i) The name and address of the taxpayer or responsible adult; and
(ii) The information described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section
for the previous calendar year.
(2) Form of the statement. A statement required under this
paragraph (e) may be made by furnishing to the taxpayer or responsible
adult identified in the annual report a copy of the report filed with
the IRS or on a substitute statement. A substitute statement must
include the information required to be shown on the report filed with
the IRS and must comply with requirements in published guidance (see
Sec. 601.601(d)(2) of this chapter) relating to substitute statements.
An IRS truncated taxpayer identifying number may be used as the
identifying number for an individual in lieu of the identifying number
appearing on the corresponding information report filed with the IRS.
(3) Time and manner for furnishing statements. An Exchange must
furnish the statements required under this paragraph (e) on or before
January 31 of the year following the calendar year of coverage. If
mailed, the statement must be sent to the taxpayer's or responsible
person's last known permanent address or, if no permanent address is
known, to the taxpayer's or responsible person's temporary address. An
Exchange may furnish the statement electronically in accordance with
paragraph (f) of this section.
(f) Electronic furnishing of statements--(1) In general. An
Exchange required to furnish a statement under paragraph (e) of this
section may furnish the statement to the taxpayer or responsible adult
(recipient) in an electronic format in lieu of a paper format. An
Exchange that meets the requirements of paragraphs (f)(2) through (7)
of this section is treated as furnishing the statement in a timely
manner.
(2) Consent--(i) In general. A recipient must have affirmatively
consented to receive the statement in an electronic format. The consent
may be made electronically in any manner that reasonably demonstrates
that the recipient is able to access the statement in the electronic
format in which it will be furnished. Alternatively, the consent may be
made in a paper document that is confirmed electronically.
(ii) Withdrawal of consent. An Exchange may provide that the
withdrawal of consent takes effect either on the date the Exchange
receives it or on another date no more than 60 days later. The Exchange
may provide that a request by the recipient for a paper statement will
be treated as a withdrawal of consent to receive the statement in an
electronic format. If the Exchange furnishes a statement after the
withdrawal of consent takes effect, the recipient has not consented to
receive the statement in electronic format.
(iii) Change in hardware or software requirements. If a change in
the hardware or software required to access the statement creates a
material risk that a recipient will not be able to access a statement,
an Exchange must, prior to changing the hardware or software, notify
the recipient. The notice must
[[Page 39648]]
describe the revised hardware and software required to access the
statement and inform the recipient that a new consent to receive the
statement in the revised electronic format must be provided to the
Exchange. After implementing the revised hardware and software, the
Exchange must obtain a new consent or confirmation of consent from the
recipient to receive the statement electronically.
(iv) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules of this
paragraph (f)(2):
Example 1. Furnisher F sends Recipient R a letter stating that R
may consent to receive the statement required under section 36B
electronically on a Web site instead of in a paper format. The
letter contains instructions explaining how to consent to receive
the statement electronically by accessing the Web site, downloading
and completing the consent document, and emailing the completed
consent to F. The consent document posted on the Web site uses the
same electronic format that F will use for the electronically
furnished statement. R reads the instructions and submits the
consent in the manner provided in the instructions. R has consented
to receive the statement required under section 36B electronically
in the manner described in paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section.
Example 2. Furnisher F sends Recipient R an email stating that R
may consent to receive the statement required under section 36B
electronically instead of in a paper format. The email contains an
attachment instructing R how to consent to receive the statement
required under section 36B electronically. The email attachment uses
the same electronic format that F will use for the electronically
furnished statement. R opens the attachment, reads the instructions,
and submits the consent in the manner provided in the instructions.
R has consented to receive the statement required under section 36B
electronically in the manner described in paragraph (f)(2)(i) of
this section.
Example 3. Furnisher F posts a notice on its Web site stating
that Recipient R may receive the statement required under section
36B electronically instead of in a paper format. The Web site
contains instructions on how R may access a secure Web page and
consent to receive the statements electronically. R accesses the
secure Web page and follows the instructions for giving consent. R
has consented to receive the statement required under section 36B
electronically in the manner described in paragraph (f)(2)(i) of
this section.
(3) Required disclosures--(i) In general. Prior to, or at the time
of, an individual's consent, an Exchange must provide to the individual
a clear and conspicuous disclosure statement containing each of the
disclosures described in paragraphs (f)(3)(ii) through (viii) of this
section.
(ii) Paper statement. An Exchange must inform the recipient that
the statement will be furnished on paper if the recipient does not
consent to receive it electronically.
(iii) Scope and duration of consent. An Exchange must inform the
recipient of the scope and duration of the consent. For example, the
Exchange must inform the recipient whether the consent applies to each
statement required to be furnished after the consent is given until it
is withdrawn or only to the first statement required to be furnished
following the consent.
(iv) Post-consent request for a paper statement. An Exchange must
inform the recipient of any procedure for obtaining a paper copy of the
recipient's statement after giving the consent described in paragraph
(f)(2)(i) of this section and whether a request for a paper statement
will be treated as a withdrawal of consent.
(v) Withdrawal of consent. An Exchange must inform the recipient
that--
(A) The recipient may withdraw consent by writing (electronically
or on paper) to the person or department whose name, mailing address,
telephone number, and email address is provided in the disclosure
statement;
(B) An Exchange will confirm the withdrawal and the date on which
it takes effect in writing (either electronically or on paper); and
(C) A withdrawal of consent does not apply to a statement that was
furnished electronically in the manner described in this paragraph (f)
before the date on which the withdrawal of consent takes effect.
(vi) Notice of termination. An Exchange must inform the recipient
of the conditions under which the Exchange will cease furnishing
statements electronically to the recipient.
(vii) Updating information. An Exchange must inform the recipient
of the procedures for updating the information needed to contact the
recipient and notify the recipient of any change in the Exchange's
contact information.
(viii) Hardware and software requirements. An Exchange must provide
the recipient with a description of the hardware and software required
to access, print, and retain the statement, and the date when the
statement will no longer be available on the Web site. The Exchange
must advise the recipient that the statement may be required to be
printed and attached to a Federal, State, or local income tax return.
(4) Format. The electronic version of the statement must contain
all required information and comply with applicable published guidance
(see Sec. 601.601(d) of this chapter) relating to substitute
statements to recipients.
(5) Notice--(i) In general. If a statement is furnished on a Web
site, the Exchange must notify the recipient. The notice may be
delivered by mail, electronic mail, or in person. The notice must
provide instructions on how to access and print the statement and
include the following statement in capital letters, ``IMPORTANT TAX
RETURN DOCUMENT AVAILABLE.'' If the notice is provided by electronic
mail, this statement must be on the subject line of the electronic
mail.
(ii) Undeliverable electronic address. If an electronic notice
described in paragraph (f)(5)(i) of this section is returned as
undeliverable, and the Exchange cannot obtain the correct electronic
address from the Exchange's records or from the recipient, the Exchange
must furnish the notice by mail or in person within 30 days after the
electronic notice is returned.
(iii) Corrected statement. An Exchange must furnish a corrected
statement to the recipient electronically if the original statement was
furnished electronically. If the original statement was furnished
through a Web site posting, the Exchange must notify the recipient that
it has posted the corrected statement on the Web site in the manner
described in paragraph (f)(5)(i) of this section within 30 days of the
posting. The corrected statement or the notice must be furnished by
mail or in person if--
(A) An electronic notice of the Web site posting of an original
statement or the corrected statement was returned as undeliverable; and
(B) The recipient has not provided a new email address.
(6) Access period. Statements furnished on a Web site must be
retained on the Web site through October 15 of the year following the
calendar year to which the statements relate (or the first business day
after October 15, if October 15 falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal
holiday). The furnisher must maintain access to corrected statements
that are posted on the Web site through October 15 of the year
following the calendar year to which the statements relate (or the
first business day after October 15, if October 15 falls on a Saturday,
Sunday, or legal holiday) or the date 90 days after the corrected forms
are posted, whichever is later.
(7) Paper statements after withdrawal of consent. An Exchange must
furnish a paper statement if a recipient withdraws consent to receive a
statement electronically and the withdrawal takes effect before the
statement is furnished.
[[Page 39649]]
A paper statement furnished under this paragraph (f)(7) after the
statement due date is timely if furnished within 30 days after the date
the Exchange receives the withdrawal of consent.
(g) Effective/applicability date. This section applies for taxable
years ending after December 31, 2013.
Beth Tucker,
Deputy Commissioner for Operations Support.
[FR Doc. 2013-15943 Filed 6-28-13; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4830-01-P