IRS Regulations & Notices - American Benefits Group

Medical Mileage for 2013

January 1, 2013

Effective on January 1, 2013, the automobile reimbursement rate for deductible MEDICAL expenses increases...

MEDICAL and MOVING expenses

January 18, 2012

IRS Delays discrimination testing ...

December 27, 2010

The IRS issued Notice 2011-1 today and it provides that because regulatory guidance is essential to the operation Code Section 105(h), the Treasury Department, the IRS, as well as the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services (collectively, the Departments), have determined that compliance with Health Care Reform nondiscrimination provisions (applicable to insured health plans) should not be required (and thus, any sanctions for failure to comply do not apply) until after regulations or other administrative guidance of general applicability has been issued under PHS Act § 2716.

IRS Defines "Prescription" and Announces Transition Period for OTC Purchases with Debit Cards

September 7, 2010

COBRA Continuation Coverage Assistance Under The American Recovery And Reinvestment Act Of 2009 Update

August 31, 2010

The Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration has updated its COBRA web page to add a fact sheet and FAQs on maintaining health coverage after the COBRA premium reduction ends...

Qualified Transit and Parking Benefits Guidance

August 31, 2010

The IRS issued an informational letter on the tax treatment of qualified transportation benefits, specifically the use of transit passes and qualified parking that employers frequently provide through the use of smartcards...

Health Care Reform Impacts Section 125 Plans

August 9, 2010

Health Care Reform is now reality, and the new law is going to have significant impact Section 125 Plans and Pre Tax Reimbursement Accounts including Health Flexible Spending accounts (Health FSA's), Health Reimbursement accounts (HRA's) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA's).

COBRA Subsidy Ends … but Another Extension is Likely

June 2, 2010

Congress failed in its efforts before Memorial Day to pass a nearly $200 billion package that would have extended unemployment benefits and other expiring provisions, including ARRA’s COBRA subsidy program. The 15 months of federally subsidized COBRA premiums for involuntary terminations of employment that needed to occur by May 31, 2010, came to an end.

House Passes COBRA Subsidy Extension Bill

December 17, 2009

COBRA Subsidy to be extended

IRS Announces Medical Mileage Rate for 2010

December 3, 2009

Decrease of 7.5 cents in the 2010 Medical Mileage Rate

IRS Mandated Debit Card Substantiation Requirements Effective July 1st 2009

July 1, 2009

Please be advised that as of July 1st, 2009 per IRS Notice 2008-104 your myFlexResource.com debit card may no longer work at certain locations.

Senate Panel to Review Health Insurance Tax Changes

May 18, 2009

WASHINGTON—The Senate Finance Committee will discuss controversial options that include curbing the tax-favored status of employer-provided health care coverage, wiping out health care flexible spending accounts and placing new restrictions on health spending accounts when it meets Wednesday.

IRS releases HSA indexed adjustments for 2010

May 14, 2009

IRS has just issued Revenue Procedure 2009-29, which provides the 2010 cost-of-living contribution and coverage adjustments for HSAs, as required under Code Section 223(g).

Baucus Hints at Changes to Health Care Tax Breaks

May 13, 2009

WASHINGTON—Changing the tax-favored status of employer-provided health care coverage could make the system fairer, according to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont.

COBRA Subsidy Clarification

March 31, 2009

IRS Notice 2009-27 provides guidance on the premium assistance for COBRA continuation coverage under section 3001 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), Public Law 111-5, enacted February 17, 2009.

Read more … COBRA Subsidy Clarification

DOL Releases Model COBRA Subsidy Notices

March 19, 2009

The Department of Labor released model notices for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 COBRA subsidy.

Stimulus Bill Temporarily Increases 132 Transit Benefit Limits

February 18, 2009

Stimulus Bill Temporarily Increases 132 Transit Benefit Limits

COBRA subsidy available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

February 17, 2009

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provides for a 65% reduction in COBRA premiums for certain assistance eligible individuals for up to nine months.

90 Percent Rule Update - IRS NOTICE 2008-104

December 4, 2008

The IRS has made a significant change pertaining to the implementation date for the 90% rule.

Medical Mileage Rate Decrease Effective January 1, 2009

December 1, 2008

Effective January 1, 2009, the optional standard mileage rate for medical and moving purposes has decreased from the current rate.

New Transportation Fringe Benefit to Bicycle Commuters

October 22, 2008

The benefit -- up to $20 per month -- begins with the new year in 2009. Employers may reimburse employees, tax free, for "reasonable" expenses related to their bike commute, including equipment purchases, bike purchases, repairs, and storage if the bicycle is used as a "substantial part" of the commuter's trip to work for the month.

Breaking News--Increased 132 Transit Limits for 2009 Just Announced

October 16, 2008

The qualified transportation monthly limits for 2009 are increased to $120 for commuter transit and $230 for parking. (See Rev. Proc. 2008-66.)

IRS Issues Guidance on FSA Distributions for Military Reservists

October 15, 2008

IRS Notice 2008-82 was issued jointly by the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and provides guidance for “qualified reservist distributions” (QRDs) that are provided for in the Heroes Earning Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008 (HEART).

IRS Delays Implementation of Transportation and Debit Card Regulations

September 4, 2008

The purpose of this notice is to delay the effective date of Revenue Ruling 2006-57, 2006-2 C.B. 911. Revenue Ruling 2006-57 provides guidance to employers on the use of smartcards, debit or credit cards, or other electronic media to provide qualified transportation fringes under Internal Revenue Code §§ 132(a)(5) and 132(f).

Summary of Notice 2008-59 Guidance on Health Savings Accounts

August 26, 2008

The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service released Notice 2008-59 on June 25, 2008. A summary of the Notice is included here.

Proposed Regulations Regarding HSAs

July 16, 2008

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the U.S. Treasury Department have issued Proposed Regulations regarding Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).

HEART ACT (Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act) Signed Into Law

June 28, 2008

The Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Act of 2008, which was recently signed into law by President Bush, is a new law whose purpose is to address the payments made to individuals who have been called to active military service.

IRS Announces Mid-Year Increase in Mileage Rates for Transportation to Obtain Medical Care

June 27, 2008

Due to recent gasoline price increases, the IRS has announced in Announcement 2008-63 dated June 24, 2008, an eight-cent mid-year increase in the standard mileage rate for calculating the cost of using an automobile to obtain medical care.

IRS Releases Final HSA Comparability Regulations for Catch-Up and Accelerated Contributions Effective for Calendar Years Beginning on or after January 1, 2009

June 17, 2008

The Internal Revenue Service released final regulations providing guidance on employer "comparable" contributions to Health Savings Accounts (HSA) where...

IRS Issues 2009 Index Amounts for Health Savings Accounts

May 1, 2008

The new 2009 maximum annual HSA contribution has been raised to $3000 for individuals with self-only coverage and to $5950 for family coverage.

Delay of IRS Revenue Ruling 2006-57 on 132 Transportation Debit Cards

October 1, 2007

The purpose of this notice is to delay the effective date of Revenue Ruling 2006-57, 2006-47 I.R.B. 911. Revenue Ruling 2006-57 provides guidance to employers on the use of smartcards, debit or credit cards, or other electronic media to provide qualified transportation fringes under Internal Revenue Code §§ 132(a)(5) and 132(f).

Proposed Regulations Issued for Cafeteria Plans

August 1, 2007

On August 3, 2006, the U.S. Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released proposed regulations regarding cafeteria plans. These rules replace the previously-proposed and temporary regulations issued intermittently between May 1984 and March 2000.

IRS Revenue Ruling 2006-57 on 132 Transportation Debit Cards

November 20, 2006

Qualified transportation fringes; smartcards and debit cards. This ruling provides guidance to employers on the use of smartcards and debit cards to provide qualified transportation fringes under section 132(f) of the Code.

Member Login

Important Affordable Care Act Deadline: Employee Notices of the Health Insurance Marketplace (Exchange) Due by October 1, 2013

DOL Releases Model Notice and Guidance on PPACA’s Exchange Notice Requirement

The ACA – What you need to do NOW

Medical Mileage for 2013

MEDICAL and MOVING expenses

IRS Delays discrimination testing ...

IRS Defines "Prescription" and Announces Transition Period for OTC Purchases with Debit Cards

COBRA Continuation Coverage Assistance Under The American Recovery And Reinvestment Act Of 2009 Update

Qualified Transit and Parking Benefits Guidance

Health Care Reform Impacts Section 125 Plans

COBRA Subsidy Ends … but Another Extension is Likely

House Passes COBRA Subsidy Extension Bill

IRS Announces Medical Mileage Rate for 2010

IRS Mandated Debit Card Substantiation Requirements Effective July 1st 2009

Senate Panel to Review Health Insurance Tax Changes

IRS releases HSA indexed adjustments for 2010

Baucus Hints at Changes to Health Care Tax Breaks

COBRA Subsidy Clarification

DOL Releases Model COBRA Subsidy Notices

Stimulus Bill Temporarily Increases 132 Transit Benefit Limits

COBRA subsidy available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

90 Percent Rule Update - IRS NOTICE 2008-104

Medical Mileage Rate Decrease Effective January 1, 2009

New Transportation Fringe Benefit to Bicycle Commuters

Breaking News--Increased 132 Transit Limits for 2009 Just Announced

IRS Issues Guidance on FSA Distributions for Military Reservists

IRS Delays Implementation of Transportation and Debit Card Regulations

Summary of Notice 2008-59 Guidance on Health Savings Accounts

Proposed Regulations Regarding HSAs

HEART ACT (Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act) Signed Into Law

IRS Announces Mid-Year Increase in Mileage Rates for Transportation to Obtain Medical Care

IRS Releases Final HSA Comparability Regulations for Catch-Up and Accelerated Contributions Effective for Calendar Years Beginning on or after January 1, 2009

IRS Issues 2009 Index Amounts for Health Savings Accounts

Delay of IRS Revenue Ruling 2006-57 on 132 Transportation Debit Cards

Proposed Regulations Issued for Cafeteria Plans

IRS Revenue Ruling 2006-57 on 132 Transportation Debit Cards