Do small employers have to file 1095-C?
Asked by: Mr. Emory Bode | Last update: November 9, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (51 votes)
Do all employers need to file 1095-C?
Key Takeaways. Form 1095-C is a statement of health coverage offered to eligible employees by Applicable Large Employers (ALEs) and is required to be filed since the 2015 tax year. ALEs are companies or organizations with at least 50 full-time workers or full-time equivalents.
Do I really need my 1095-C to file taxes?
Although information from the Form 1095-C – information about an offer of employer provided coverage - can assist you in determining eligibility for the premium tax credit, it is not necessary to have Form 1095-C to file your return.
What happens if I don't report my 1095-C?
Employers who fail to meet filing or furnishing deadlines or report incorrect information on an informational return may be subject to IRS penalties. For forms due in 2025, failure to file an informational return such as the 1095-C can result in a penalty of $330 per form, capped at $3,987,000.
Is ACA reporting required for small employers?
Regardless of size, all employers that provide self-insured health coverage to employees must file an annual return reporting certain information for each covered employee and provide the same information to covered individuals.
Top 1095-C Mistakes Employers Make (and How to Prevent Them!)
Who is exempt from ACA reporting?
Businesses with fewer than 50 workers are exempt from the employer mandate, but if they chose to offer health coverage it must meet certain ACA specifications.
Do employers with less than 50 employees have to file form 1094?
Employers with 50 or more full-time employees (including full-time equivalent employees) in the previous year use federal Forms 1094-C and 1095-C to report the information required under Internal Revenue Code Sections 6055 and 6056 about offers of health coverage and enrollment in health coverage for their employees.
What is the penalty for not filing a 1095c?
Penalties for Not Filing Forms 1094/1095-C
As of 2022, the fee is $280 for each unfiled or incorrect form. These penalties can be applied twice to the same return. For example, if you don't provide your employee with a 1095-C and you fail to provide the IRS with a copy, you will incur a total penalty of $560.
Will a 1095-C affect my tax refund?
No, the 1095-C form just proves that you had health coverage. It would not affect your refund as long as you answered the Health Insurance questions accurately. You don't need your form 1095-C to file your tax return. TurboTax will ask you questions about your health coverage but your form 1095-C isn't needed.
Why isn't TurboTax asking for my 1095-C?
by TurboTax• 13077• Updated 2 weeks ago
No. Forms 1095-B and 1095-C are for your records only, as the IRS doesn't need any details from them. We'll ask a few questions about your health care coverage after you finish entering your deductions and credits in TurboTax.
What happens if I don't put my 1095 on my taxes?
Form 1095-B is not required to file your state or federal taxes and you may self‑attest to your health coverage without it. You should get a Form 1095-B in the mail by January 31 following the reported tax year.
Does 1095-C go to IRS?
Form 1095-C is used to report information about each employee to the IRS and to the employee. Forms 1094-C and 1095-C are used in determining whether an ALE Member owes a payment under the employer shared responsibility provisions under section 4980H.
Can I ignore 1095-C?
Only information from the form 1095A is required for filing on the tax return. Although information from the Form 1095-C – information about an offer of employer provided coverage - can assist you in determining eligibility for the premium tax credit, it is not necessary to have Form 1095-C to file your return.
Where do I enter 1095-C in TurboTax?
You do not have to enter a 1095-C in TurboTax. You will answer the question in the Health Insurance section that you had health insurance all year and keep a copy of the 1095-C with your tax records. The insurance company will provide the IRS with the needed information.
Does the IRS still require proof of health insurance?
Health care coverage documents
You are not required to send the IRS information forms or other proof of health care coverage when filing your tax return. However, it's a good idea to keep these records on hand. This documentation includes: Form 1095 information forms.
Who is required to file 1095-C?
Form 1095-C is filed and furnished to any employee of an Applicable Large Employers (ALE) member who is a full-time employee for one or more months of the calendar. ALE members must report that information for all twelve months of the calendar year for each employee.
Does a 1095-C mean I owe money?
Much like the Form W-2 is used to determine whether or not you owe taxes, the IRS will use the information reported from your Form 1095-C to determine whether you (or your employer) may have to pay a fine for failing to comply with the Affordable Care Act.
How can I avoid paying back my premium tax credit?
Report any changes in your income during the year to the Marketplace, so your credit can be adjusted and you can avoid any significant repayments at the end of the year.
Can I file without 1095-C?
Yes, Forms 1095-B and 1095-C are not required to be included with your annual tax filing.
Is the 1095-C no longer required?
Form 1095 Distribution – Effective for the 2024 reporting year, employers are no longer required to distribute Form 1095-C to all full-time employees (and plan sponsors of self-insured plans do not have to distribute Form 1095-B to individuals[2]). Instead, these forms only need to be provided upon request.
How important is a 1095-C?
You do not need this form in order to file your taxes, but when you do file, you'll have to tell the IRS whether or not you had health insurance for each month of the year. Form 1095-C shows if you had health insurance through your employer.
Do part-time employees get a 1095-C?
IRS rules say you should receive a Form 1095-C as a part-time employee (your hours did not meet the ACA definition of full time) if you were enrolled in your employer's self-funded coverage. Part III of the form will identify anyone in your family who was enrolled, and will indicate which months they were covered.
Does ACA rules apply to small employers?
Small business owners with fewer than 50 full-time employees are not required to offer health care coverage to their employees. However, you should know that if a small business with fewer than 50 full-time employees does offer coverage, then that coverage must comply with the requirements of the ACA.
Can you leave line 16 blank in 1095C?
If no code is applicable for a given month, line 16 should be left blank. For more information about using line 16, see the Instructions for Forms 1094-C and 1095-C.