Resources

IRS Draft Form 941 Reflects COBRA Subsidy Tax Credit

The IRS recently released a draft of the revised 2021 version of Form 941, Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return, in order to, in part, reflect the tax credit in connection with the 100% COBRA subsidy under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP). The COBRA subsidy is required to be provided to ...

BCBSA Antitrust Settlement Classes Eligible for Proceeds

June 7, 2021 November 5, 2021 is the deadline for filing a claim in connection with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) $2.67 billion settlement reached in October 2020. The class action lawsuit was filed more than eight years ago by subscribers seeking injunctive and compensatory ...

Behavioral Health in the Workplace

Mental Health Awareness Month is officially observed in May and is especially relevant this year as everyone is continuing to deal with the impact of the pandemic. New research on Behavioral Health Issues in the Workplace was published by The Standard and recently presented in a webinar by Dr. ...

IRS Guidance on Reduction in Hours for COBRA Subsidy Eligibility

May 26, 2021 The IRS recently issued IRS Notice 2021-31 in the form of FAQs, which provides extensive guidance on the COBRA subsidy under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP). Previously, the Department of Labor (DOL), in consultation with the Department of Treasury and the IRS, issued ...

It’s Time to Talk about Mental Health at Work

Not so long ago, discussing your mental health at work may have been considered a faux pas. The thought of sharing personal details like symptoms or a diagnosis felt unsafe in an environment where stereotypes about mental health could influence your career path or perceived potential. News ...

Learning Styles: Are We on the Same Page?

How do you learn best? In general, humans like to know more about their personality, whether the results are pulled from a quiz in the back of a magazine or a research-backed questionnaire. As a result, many people are aware of their preferred learning styles. While it is clear that people have ...

Just Say No … to Meetings

Imagine the scene. You spend weeks coordinating an important meeting: preparing a presentation with key information, making sure the “right” people are invited, and clearing your calendar so you are not double booked on the big day. And then the morning of the event arrives, and one by one, ...

Inspiring Others with Three Words: I Don’t Know

Social worker and researcher Brené Brown spent years studying shame and vulnerability. Her academic work on vulnerability skyrocketed into popular culture when she introduced it into the board room. Years ago, vulnerability was seen as a weakness, something to hide from others. You do not have ...

IRS Guidance on Involuntary Termination for COBRA Subsidy Eligibility

On May 18, 2021, the IRS issued IRS Notice 2021-31 in the form of FAQs, which provides extensive guidance on the COBRA subsidy under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP). Previously, the Department of Labor (DOL), in consultation with the Department of the Treasury and the IRS, issued ...

2021 Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Fee

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee deadline is around the corner. In Notice 2020-84, the IRS adjusted the applicable dollar amount to be multiplied by the average number of covered lives for purposes of calculating the fee for policy years and plan years that end on or ...

Brinson Benefits