IRS Invites Comments on Cadillac Tax Implementation for 2018 (Part 2)

IRS Invites Comments on Cadillac Tax Implementation for 2018 (Part 2)

by Clarke & Company Benefits Posted on: March 5, 2015Categories: HR & Compliance   

Overview of IRS Proposals

Notice 2015-16 describes a number of potential approaches on certain aspects of the ACA’s Cadillac tax provision, which may be included in future proposed regulations. The IRS is requesting comments on the potential approaches, as well as any other approaches or guidance that might be helpful.

Definition of Applicable Coverage

Notice 2015-16 includes the following potential clarifications on the definition of applicable coverage:

• The IRS expects future guidance to include executive physical programs and HRAs as applicable coverage.
• The IRS anticipates that future regulations will exclude on-site medical clinics that offer only de minimis medical care to employees from the definition of applicable coverage.
• The IRS invites comments on how to treat on-site medical clinics that provide certain services in addition to (or in lieu of) first aid.
• The IRS is considering whether to propose approaches under which self-insured limited scope dental and vision coverage and certain employee assistance programs (EAPs) that qualify as an excepted benefit under the amended excepted benefits regulations would be excluded from applicable coverage for purposes of the Cadillac tax. Comments are requested on any reasons why the IRS should not implement these approaches.

Determining the Cost of Applicable Coverage

A number of issues arise in calculating the COBRA applicable premium, including how to determine which non-COBRA beneficiaries are similarly situated, methods for self-insured plans to determine the applicable premium and how to determine the applicable premium for HRAs.

Notice 2015-16 describes potential approaches for each of these issues for purposes of the Cadillac tax. The IRS is also considering whether these potential approaches should apply for determining the COBRA applicable premium.

• The COBRA applicable premium is based on the cost of coverage for similarly situated non-COBRA beneficiaries. The IRS anticipates that a somewhat similar standard will apply for the Cadillac tax, where the cost of the applicable coverage for an employee will be based on the average cost of that type of applicable coverage for that employee and all similarly situated employees. The IRS invites comments on this potential approach, including areas where more guidance would be beneficial. Future guidance will likely attempt to harmonize the COBRA rules with the Cadillac tax rules (although some differences may be appropriate).
• Currently, there are two methods for self-insured plans to calculate the COBRA applicable premium—the actuarial basis method and the past cost method. The IRS anticipates that, in general, these two methods will apply for determining the cost of applicable coverage for self-insured plans for purposes of the Cadillac tax, and it seeks comment on this approach.
• Instead of determining the cost of applicable coverage using rules similar to the COBRA applicable premium rules, some have suggested that this could be determined by reference to the cost of similar coverage available elsewhere (for example, through an Exchange), whether or not based on actuarial values, metal levels (bronze, silver, etc.) or other metrics. The IRS invites comments on other alternative approaches.

Determination Period

The IRS anticipates that the method for calculating the cost of applicable coverage would be elected prior to the period for which the cost applies, under similar rules as the COBRA applicable premium. The IRS invites comments on whether the COBRA rules should apply for purposes of the Cadillac tax, and whether more guidance would be beneficial.

Applicable Dollar Limit

The IRS is considering an approach to clarify the application of the dollar limit for employees with both self-only and other-than-self-only applicable coverage (for example, self-only major medical coverage and supplemental coverage, such as an HRA, that covers the employee and his or her family).

The IRS invites comments on the following potential approaches, including any potential administrative difficulties, as well as any other approaches that might address this issue:

• Under one approach, the applicable dollar limit would depend on whether the employee’s primary (major medical) coverage is self-only coverage or other-than-self-only coverage. The employee’s primary coverage would be the type of coverage that accounts for the majority of the aggregate cost of applicable coverage.
• An alternative approach would apply a composite dollar limit determined by prorating the dollar limits for each employee according to the ratio of the cost of the self-only coverage and the cost of the other-than-self-only coverage provided to the employee.

Dollar Limit Adjustments

The annual dollar limits for the Cadillac tax may be adjusted in certain circumstances. For example, a “health cost adjustment percentage” will be applied to determine the dollar limits for 2018, and a cost-of-living adjustment will be applied to determine the dollar limits for taxable years after 2018. In addition, the dollar limits are increased by an age and gender adjustment, if applicable for an employer. Also, higher dollar limits apply for:

• Qualified retirees; and
• Employees engaged in a high-risk profession or employed to repair or install electrical or telecommunication lines.

The IRS intends to include rules regarding these adjustments in proposed regulations, and invites comments on the application and adjustment of the dollar limits.

Comment Submissions

The IRS invited comments on the issues addressed in the notice and on any other issues under the Cadillac tax provision. The IRS also intends to issue another notice inviting comments on additional issues. The comments received by the IRS are expected to be used to draft proposed regulations.

Comments should be submitted no later than May 15, 2015, and should reference Notice 2015-16. Comments may be sent electronically to: Notice.comments@irscounsel.treas.gov, or mailed to: CC:PA:LPD:PR (Notice 2015-16), Room 5203, Internal Revenue Service, P.O. Box 7604, Ben Franklin Station, Washington, DC 20044.

Reliance

Taxpayers may not rely upon Notice 2015-16 for guidance regarding the Cadillac tax provision. The IRS also specified that no inference should be drawn from the notice concerning any provision of Section 4980I other than those addressed in the notice or concerning any other section of the ACA or COBRA.