IRS Increases Health FSA Contribution Limit for 2018, Adjusts Other Benefit Limits

On October 20, 2017, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released Revenue Procedure 2017-58, which raises the health Flexible Spending Account (FSA) salary reduction contribution limit by $50 to $2,650 for plan years beginning in 2018. The Revenue Procedure also contains the cost-of-living adjustments that apply to dollar limitations in certain sections of the Internal Revenue Code.  The following summarizes other adjustments relevant to individuals and employer sponsors of welfare and fringe benefit plans.

Qualified Commuter Parking and Mass Transit Pass Monthly Limit Increase

For 2018, the monthly limitation for the qualified transportation fringe benefit is $260, as is the monthly limitation for qualified parking (in both cases, a $5 increase from the 2017 limit).

Small Employer Health Insurance Tax Credit Average Annual Wage Limit Increase

For 2018, the maximum average annual wages of employees used for determining who is an eligible small employer for purposes of the credit is $53,400 (a $1,000 increase from the 2017 threshold).  The average annual wage level at which the tax credit begins to phase out for eligible small employers is $26,700 (a $500 increase from the 2017 threshold).

Adoption Assistance Tax Credit Increase

For 2018, the amount that can be excluded from an employee’s gross income for the adoption of a child with special needs is $13,840 (a $270 increase from the 2017 limit). The maximum amount that can be excluded from an employee’s gross income for the amounts paid or expenses incurred by an employer for qualified adoption expenses furnished pursuant to an adoption assistance program for other adoptions by the employee is $13,840 (a $270 increase from the 2017 limit). The amount excludable from an employee’s gross income begins to phase out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income in excess of $207,580 (a $4,040 increase from the 2017 threshold) and is completely phased out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income of $247,580 or more (a $4,040 increase from the 2017 threshold).

Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSEHRA) Increase

For 2018, reimbursements under a QSEHRA cannot exceed $5,050 (single) / $10,250 (family).  This represents an increase of $50 (single) / $250 (family) from 2017.

 

Refundable Credit for Coverage Under a Qualified Health Plan

For 2018, the limit on repayment of excess advance premium credits is determined using the following table:

If the household income (expressed as a percent of the federal poverty line) is: The limitation amount for unmarried individuals (other than surviving spouses and heads of household) is: The limitation amount for all other taxpayers is:
Less than 200% $300 $600
At least 200% but less   

than 300%                          

$775 $1,550
At least 300% but less than 400%                           $1,300 $2,600
Over 400% of the federal poverty line No cap (full amount repaid) No cap (full amount repaid)

 

In other words, individuals who were ultimately ineligible for the premium credits they received will have their repayment capped based on the table above.

Reminder: 2018 HSA Contribution Limits and HDHP Deductible and Out-of-Pocket Limits

Earlier this year, the IRS announced the inflation adjusted amounts for 2018 relevant to HSAs and high deductible health plans (HDHPs).  The table below summarizes those adjustments.

  2018 (single/family) 2017 (single/family)
Annual HSA Contribution Limit $3,450 / $6,900 $3,400 / $6,750
Minimum Annual HDHP Deductible $1,350 / $2,700 $1,300 / $2,600
Maximum Out-of-Pocket for HDHP $6,650 / $13,300 $6,550 / $13,100

 

The ACA’s out-of-pocket limits for in-network essential health benefits have also increased for 2018.  Note that all non-grandfathered group health plans must contain an embedded individual out-of-pocket limit within family coverage, if the family out-of-pocket limit is above $7,350 (2018 plan years) or $7,150 (2017 plan years).  Exceptions to the ACA’s out-of-pocket limit rule are available for certain small group plans eligible for transition relief (referred to as “Grandmothered” plans).  Unless extended, relief for Grandmothered plans ends December 31, 2018.

  2018 (single/family) 2017 (single/family)
ACA Maximum Out-of-Pocket $7,350 / $14,700 $7,150 / $14,300

 

ACA Reporting Penalties (Forms 1094-B, 1095-B, 1094-C, 1095-C)

The following table reflects penalties for returns filed in the applicable year (i.e., the 2018 penalty is for returns filed in 2018 for calendar year 2017).  Note that failure to provide Form 1095-C to an employee and the IRS may result in two penalties, as each are supposed to receive the form (increased for willful failures, with no cap on the penalty).

Penalty Description 2019 Penalty 2018 Penalty
Failure to file an information return or provide a payee statement $270 for each return with respect to which a failure occurs $260 for each return with respect to which a failure occurs
Annual penalty limit for non-willful failures $3,282,500 $3,218,500
Lower limit for entities with gross receipts not exceeding $5M $1,094,000 $1,072,500
Failures corrected within 30 days of required filing date $50 $50
Annual penalty limit when corrected within 30 days $547,000 $536,000
Lower limit for entities with gross receipts not exceeding $5M when corrected within 30 days $191,000 $187,500
Failures corrected by August 1 $100 $100
Annual penalty limit when corrected by August 1 $1,641,000 $1,609,000
Lower limit for entities with gross receipts not exceeding $5M when corrected by August 1 $547,000 $536,000
Failure to file an information return or provide a payee statement due to intentional disregard $540 for each return with respect to which a failure occurs (no cap) $530 for each return with respect to which a failure occurs (no cap)

 

Marathas Barrow Weatherhead Lent, LLP

Marathas Barrow Weatherhead Lent, LLP

Healthcare Attorrney

About The Authors.  This alert was prepared for AG. Insurance Agencies by Marathas Barrow Weatherhead Lent LLP, a national law firm with recognized experts on the Affordable Care Act. 

Contact Peter Marathas or Stacy Barrow at pmarathas@marbarlaw.com or sbarrow@marbarlaw.com.

The information provided in this alert is not, is not intended to be, and shall not be construed to be, either the provision of legal advice or an offer to provide legal services, nor does it necessarily reflect the opinions of the agency, our lawyers or our clients.  This is not legal advice.  No client-lawyer relationship between you and our lawyers is or may be created by your use of this information.  Rather, the content is intended as a general overview of the subject matter covered.  This agency and Marathas Barrow Weatherhead Lent LLP are not obligated to provide updates on the information presented herein.  Those reading this alert are encouraged to seek direct counsel on legal questions.

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