Yesterday, the IRS issued Notice 2021-31, which provides guidance needed to implement the temporary COBRA subsidy provisions included in the recently enacted $1.9 trillion COVID relief/stimulus package.

The American Rescue Plan contained a 100% federal subsidy to reduce employer sponsored health care premiums for workers eligible for COBRA – due to an involuntary termination of employment or reduction in hours – between April 1, 2021 and September 30, 2021.  The new law also adds a corresponding tax credit for the entities that maintain group health plans.

Notice 2021-31 furnishes substantial information regarding the calculation of the credit, the eligibility of individuals, the premium assistance period, and other information vital to employers, plan administrators, and health insurers.

Gov. Affairs is in the process of reviewing this new round of FAQs…TASC will provide a summary of the top compliance and implementation issues in the near future.

Notice 2021-31: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-21-31.pdf