Following consultation with stakeholders, the agency has determined that a substantial number of employers, insurers, and other coverage providers may need additional time to prepare 2016 Forms 1095-B and 1095-C. As a result, the deadline for furnishing this information (to individuals) has been extended from January 31, 2017, to March 2, 2017.

Because some individuals may not receive a Form 1095-B or Form 1095-C by the time they are ready to file their 2016 tax return, taxpayers may rely on other information received from their employer or coverage provider for the purposes of determining eligibility for premium tax credits and confirming that they had minimum essential coverage. Taxpayers do not need to wait to receive Forms 1095-B and 1095-C before filing their returns.

Note: This guidance does not extend the timeframe for submitting 2016 Forms 1094-B, 1095-B, 1094-C, or 1095-C to the IRS…those dates remain the same (February 28, 2017 or March 31, 2017, if filing electronically.)

Notice 2016-70: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-16-70.pdf