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IRS Revenue Procedure 2023-34 includes updated penalty amounts that may apply to reporting entities that fail to comply with the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) requirements under Internal Revenue Code Sections 6055 and 6056. The increased amounts apply to 2024 information returns and individual statements that are required to be filed and furnished in 2025. General…

As the insurance industry grapples with weather volatility, increasing litigation, and cost to replace property, we’ve recently seen several insurance companies be downgraded by financial rating agencies.  An insurance company credit rating indicates an insurance company’s solvency, financial strength, and ability to pay policyholder claims.  As an independent insurance agency, we are very selective about…

On Feb. 21, 2024, President Joe Biden approved $1.2 billion in student debt cancellation for almost 153,000 borrowers currently enrolled in Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) repayment plans, lowering their financial burden. Originally planned for July, this approval relieves borrowers almost six months early. The SAVE plan is an income-driven repayment plan that bases…

The IRS has released final 2023 forms and instructions for reporting under Internal Revenue Code Sections 6055 and 6056: Draft versions of these forms were released in July, and draft instructions were released in September. No major substantive changes were made to the final forms and instructions for 2023 reporting. Final Instructions Address New Electronic…

On May 18, 2023, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued new guidance aimed at helping employers that use automated systems, including those with artificial intelligence (AI), comply with federal fair employment laws.  The new guidance focuses on preventing discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (Title VII), which applies to employers with…

Today in the United States, workers are not guaranteed paid leave by federal law, and many aren’t entitled to unpaid time. To address this issue, President Joe Biden released a budget plan earlier this year, allocating $325 billion to a permanent paid family and medical leave program. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is…

On March 9, 2023, the IRS released updated penalty amounts for 2024 related to the employer shared responsibility (pay or play) rules under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). For calendar year 2024, the adjusted $2,000 penalty amount is $2,970 and the adjusted $3,000 penalty amount is $4,460. Pay or Play Penalty Calculations Under the pay…

On Jan. 10, 2023, the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) proposed regulations that would reduce monthly payments for certain federal student loan borrowers. The agency’s proposal overhauls one of the four existing income-driven repayment (IDR) plans—also known as the Revised Pay As You Earn (REPAYE) plan—that aims to make student loan payments more manageable, especially…

Aiming to improve transparency around illegal conduct in the workplace, the U.S. Congress has enacted a new law, the Speak Out Act, that renders certain nondisclosure and nondisparagement agreements unenforceable. President Joe Biden signed the Speak Out Act into law on Dec. 7, 2022. Contract Enforcement Prohibition In general, the Speak Out Act prohibits courts…

On Nov. 8, 2022, Missouri voters approved Amendment 3, Marijuana Legalization Initiative, which legalizes recreational marijuana for adults aged 21 and older in the state. The new law goes into effect on Dec. 8, 2022. Employer Impact Amendment 3 does not prevent employers from enforcing drug-free workplace policies or disciplining or firing employees for using…