Entries by Simon Carlson

Human Resources Department Essentials: HR Assist Lite

Growing a business can be extremely difficult, especially in the current economic climate. Small businesses without a human resources department often find their HR responsibilities to be time consuming and overwhelming, while mid-size companies with a human resources department may be feeling the pressure to reduce expenses. In either case, BASIC’s HR Assist Lite offers […]

2021 HSA Limits: Cost-of-Living Adjustments Released by IRS

2021 HSA Limits The IRS has issued Revenue Procedure 2020-32 (2021 HSA limits), which provides the 2021 cost-of-living contribution and coverage adjustments for HSAs, as required under Code Section 223(g). Many items have increased for 2021. Health Savings Accounts 2020 2021 Self-only coverage Self-only coverage annual minimum deductible $1,400 $1,400 Self-only coverage maximum out of […]

COBRA Regulations Change Due to COVID-19

Some COBRA regulations have changed as part of the government’s response to the COVID-19 National Emergency. The Department of Labor and Internal Revenue Service issued joint regulations on April 29, 2020, providing significant extensions of various deadlines applicable to employee benefit plans, especially group health plans. COBRA regulations are affected as well, including extending the […]

The Premium Only Plan: Cutting Costs Made Easy

A Premium Only Plan (POP) is a great way for employers to reduce healthcare costs for their employees. POPs are a type of IRC Section 125 Cafeteria Plan that allows employees to pay for certain health plan premiums using pre-tax dollars. While using pre-tax dollars to pay for health care premiums is a well-known practice, […]

Cafeteria Plan and FSA Relief: IRS Update

The IRS released Notice 2020-29 and Notice 2020-33 on May 12, 2020 that impact cafeteria plan administration. The BASIC Compliance team is currently reviewing these Notices and will provide more in-depth practical insight in the near future. Because the issued guidance applies to many of the questions we are receiving daily, here are the highlights: […]

Certain Form 5500 Filing Deadline Extensions Granted by IRS

On April 9, 2020, the IRS announced filing deadline extensions for certain Form 5500s in an effort to provide relief from the impact of COVID-19. IRS Notice 2020-23 extends the Form 5500 filing deadline for retirement and welfare plans subject to ERISA. Please note that this relief only applies to plans with filing deadlines on […]