Most people I talk to about their IRS problem have already built the worst-case scenario in their head. The reality is usually much more manageable. I'm Darrin Mish, and I've been representing taxpayers before the IRS for 32 years. Here's what actually tends to happen.<\/p>\n
The IRS and Treasury Department are seeking feedback from small business owners who employ at least 50 full-time staff members on the Affordable Care Act.\u00a0 The Affordable Care Act requires employers of 50 full-time workers or more to help pay for the cost of government-run health insurance to their employees.\u00a0 If you are such an employer, the portion you have to pay is called your \u2018shared responsibility\u2019 payment and this provision in the Act comes into effect in 2014.<\/p>\n
This request for feedback is posted in the IRS website www.irs.gov under Notice 2011-36, specifically at www.irs.gov\/pub\/irs-drop\/n-11-36.pdf.\u00a0 This notice seeks views on several issues that will be included in future guidance for employers on how to comply with the provisions of the Act.\u00a0 For example, one of the views sought is the criteria to determine who is a full-time employee.<\/p>\n
Many employers have sought for more detailed guidance on the Act and a number have also submitted suggestions and initial information that formed the basis of the notice.\u00a0 The whole purpose of the feedback exercise is to ensure the implementation of the provisions of the Act is both fair and workable to all stakeholders concerned.\u00a0 The government wishes to see that the due compliance to the Act allows flexibility and minimization of burdens to the employers.<\/p>\n
The views and comments received now will be taken into consideration when formulating proposed regulations that will be issued at a later date.<\/p>\n
Another thing this notice seeks is to find out how three government departments, namely the Departments of Treasury, Labor, Health and Human Services should interpret and apply the Act\u2019s provisions limiting the ability of plans and issuers to impose a waiting period for health coverage of longer than 90 days starting in 2014.<\/p>\n
If you wish to offer your feedback, here\u2019s how you can do it:<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0 E-mail them to Notice.Comments@irscounsel.treas.gov with \u201cNotice 2011-36\u201d in the subject line.
\n2.\u00a0 Send them by mail to Internal Revenue Service, CC:PA:LPD:PR (Notice 2011-36), Room 5203, P.O. Box 7604, Ben Franklin Station, Washington, DC 20044.
\n3.\u00a0 Deliver them by hand to CC:PA:LPD:PR (Notice 2011-36), Courier\u2019s Desk, Internal Revenue Service, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.<\/p>\n