Three Words: Transmitter Control Code
For the 2017 Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting year, are you considering switching ACA reporting providers? Or are you thinking your company can handle the reporting mandate internally for 2017?
Either way, be sure your potential new provider or your company has a Transmitter Control Code (TCC), which will be required for all ACA IRS electronic submissions.
No TCC? It May Be Too Late
If your new vendor or your company does not have a TCC in hand by now, it is probably too late to apply and receive one by the first ACA deadline of January 31, 2018. You may want to reconsider switching ACA reporting providers.
By January 31, 2018, Applicable Large Employers (ALEs) must provide all full-time and full-time-equivalent employees with a 1095 statement regarding their health insurance offer and coverage. Also, by March 31, 2018, ALEs must report all 1095s to the IRS with a 1094 transmittal.
If your company has more than 250 full-time employees, the 1094s and 1095s must be filed electronically, hence having a TCC is imperative.
45-Day (or more) Wait for TCCs
According to the IRS (Topic Number 802), all electronic employer filers must obtain approval from the IRS Technical Services Operation and be assigned a TCC prior to filing forms 1094 and 1095 electronically.
ALEs applying for a TCC must complete IRS Form 4419 Application for Filing Information Returns Electronically and mail or fax the form to the IRS at least 45 days before the due date of the returns. Mail and fax information are available on the application. Or employers may complete Form 4419 online at https://fire.irs.gov/ for a reduced processing timeframe.
According to the Form 4419 Application, a “TCC will not be issued over the phone or via email.”
A word of caution: It could take more than 45 days after you mail or fax the form 4419 to receive your TCC.
Required TCC Testing Process Can Take Weeks
Once a TCC number is issued, there is an arduous testing process to ensure the data being sent is in the proper format to be received by the IRS. The testing process can take weeks, depending on the tenacity and expertise of your company’s technical team.
Still Switching ACA Reporting Providers?
At this late date, if you still need to switch ACA reporting providers and you don’t have a TCC, you will need to consider a third-party provider that can file on your company’s behalf, using their existing TCC number. PSST’s ACA-Track uses its own TCC to file forms 1095 and 1094 for all its ACA reporting clients. For more information, give us a call at 1.800.488.7395.
