DOL Releases EBSA Disaster Relief Notice 2021-01 February 26, 2021 On Friday, the Department of Labor released EBSA Disaster Relief Notice 2021-01, which provides guidance on the duration of the COVID-19-related relief provided by the Timeline Extension Rule. The past relief, provided in 2020, continues until sixty (60) days after the announced end of the COVID-19 National Emergency or such other date announced by the relevant Agency or Agencies in a future notification (the “Outbreak Period”). This notice provides that under Section 518 of ERISA and Section 7508A(b) of the Code, the disregarded period for individual actions “required or permitted” is expressly limited… Read More
Yesterday, the IRS released IRS Revenue Procedure 2020-45 which provides the 2021 cost-of-living increases for inflation for certain items. In addition, the IRS also released today Notice 2020-79 which provided the 2021 COLA increases for retirement plans, including 401(k) plans. Taxable Years Beginning in 2021 Taxable Years Beginning in 2020 Limit on voluntary employee salary reduction contributions to a health flexible spending arrangement (Section 3.17 of Rev. Proc. 2020-45) $2,750 $2,750 Monthly limit on fringe benefit exclusion for transit and parking (Section 3.18 of Rev. Proc. 2020-45) $270 $270 Maximum exclusion for qualified adoption expenses furnished pursuant to an adoption assistance… Read More
August 28, 2020 Yesterday, DOL released 3 new Q/A’s (98, 99 &100) offering insight on how employers should administer leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) when an employee requests leave because a child’s school is closed or child care unavailable. Look at question 99, it offers guidance regarding eligibility when parents are given a choice of between having a child attend in person or participate in a remote learning program for the fall. 98. My child’s school is operating on an alternate day (or other hybrid-attendance) basis. The school is open each day, but students alternate between… Read More
On May 20, 2019 the IRS released Revenue Procedure 2020-32 which provides the 2021 inflation adjusted amounts for high deductible health plans (HPHPs) Health Savings Accounts. The amounts for HSAs for 2021 as compared to 2020 are as follows: 2020 Rev. Proc. 2019-25 2021 Rev. Proc. 2020-32 Annual limitation on deductions to a HSA – self-only coverage $3,550.00 $3,600.00 Annual limitation on deductions to a HSA – family coverage $7,100.00 $7,200.00 HDHP – self only coverage – Annual deductible not less than: $1,400.00 $1,400.00* HDHP – self only coverage – Annual out-of-pocket expenses do not exceed: $6,900.00 $7,000.00 HDHP –… Read More
Today, IRS released Notice 2020-29 and 2020-33. These notices provided new relaxed rules for 2020 for making elections under Cafeteria plans, using amounts during a grace period or carryover period changes to the method determining the carryover amounts under Health FSAs and clarifying which premiums can be reimbursed under ICHRAs. The following is an explanation of both notices. Notice 2020-29 In Notice 2020-29, the IRS provides for increased flexibility with respect to mid-year elections under a cafeteria plan during calendar year 2020 related to employer sponsored health coverage, Health FSAs and DCAPs. This notice also provides increased flexibility with respect… Read More
