On behalf of the K&C ESOPs, Benefits & Compensation team, welcome to summer! In an interesting turn of events, major legislation that we typically see toward the end of the year landed on the Fourth of July in the form of the...more
On May 1, 2025, the IRS released Rev Proc 2025-19 which updated for 2026 the limits applicable to certain health and welfare plans, including the following key limits...more
The IRS has announced the 2025 cost-of-living adjustments for retirement plan and health and welfare benefit plan limitations. The charts below set forth the applicable limitations....more
On Nov. 1, 2024, the IRS published its annual cost of living adjustments for various retirement plan limits. These increases are more modest than recent years, a reflection that inflation is slowing....more
The San Francisco Health Care Security Ordinance (HCSO) is a local ordinance that uniquely applies to employers with workers in the City of San Francisco. The HCSO requires employers to make certain health care expenditures...more
The IRS recently issued the 2024 annual adjustments for numerous tax provisions, including changes to tax brackets and standard deductions. Popular adjustments include...more
On April 28, 2023, the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) Office of Chief Counsel released guidance reiterating claims substantiation rules for health flexible spending arrangements (health FSAs) under Internal Revenue Code...more
The IRS’s recent Chief Counsel Advice Memorandum 202317020 (the “Memo”) brings into focus the importance of compliance with the debit card claims substantiation requirements for medical care expenses reimbursed or paid for...more
In a recently issued Chief Counsel Advice memorandum, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reminded sponsors of health and dependent care flexible spending arrangements (FSAs) of their obligation to properly substantiate claims...more
The IRS’s Office of Chief Counsel recently released Chief Counsel Advice Memorandum Number 202317020, which reiterates the longstanding substantiation requirements that apply to claims for payment or reimbursement of expenses...more
On March 17, 2023, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released updated guidance on whether certain costs related to substance abuse programs, exercise programs, wellness and general health qualify as medical expenses under...more
On October 18th, the IRS announced a slew of inflation adjustments for 2023, including to the annual contribution and carryover limits for healthcare flexible spending accounts and the monthly limit for qualified...more
On February 4, 2022, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), U.S. Department of the Treasury, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued subregulatory guidance that provides greater flexibility and clarifies a...more
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Public Law 116-260 (CAA) set forth new compensation disclosure requirements that apply to service providers who provide “brokerage services” or “consulting” to group health plans...more
The American Rescue Plan Act (the Act) included certain temporary COBRA subsidy provisions that allow “Assistance Eligible Individuals” (AEIs) to receive COBRA subsidies from April 1, 2021 to September 30, 2021 (the...more
Just think of the many dollars you spend on face masks, hand sanitizers and sanitizing wipes to help you and your family prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). It all adds up very quickly and can make a...more
Presented below is our summary of significant Internal Revenue Serve (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of March 29, 2021 – April 2, 2021. March 29, 2021: The IRS issued Notice 2021-21 and an...more
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”) which is another coronavirus stimulus package aimed at speeding up the United States’ recovery from the economic and health...more
The COVID-19 National Emergency hasn’t ended yet, so how do plan sponsors account for certain employee benefit plan time periods lingering since early 2020 due to the Outbreak Period prescribed by the Departments of Treasury...more
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) is the latest federal COVID-19 relief bill, which the President signed into law March 11, 2021. ARPA includes new COBRA continuation coverage election, notice, and subsidy...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: The IRS has announced the adjustments to key limits for certain health and welfare benefit programs, including HDHP deductibles, HSA and FSA contributions, and other fringe benefit options for 2021....more
Employers will now have additional options to address participants’ unspent contributions to dependent care or health flexible spending accounts (FSAs) resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Consolidated Appropriations...more
For calendar year 2021, the Health FSA contribution limit and the parking and transit limits remain the same. Other limits increase only slightly....more
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, many employers have been faced with the difficult task of taking short-term measures to preserve long-term viability. Measures taken include layoffs, furloughs, reduced work schedules, and...more
The IRS recently issued Notice 2020-29, allowing §125 cafeteria plans and high-deductible health plan (HDHP) changes during the remainder of 2020....more